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Chiefs vs. Bills Referee Announcement Puts KC at a Big Disadvantage

By Joe Summers

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (right) gestures to down judge Danny Short (113) after an excessive celebration penalty on the Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (right) gestures to down judge Danny Short (113) after an excessive celebration penalty on the Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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What should be a joyous week celebrating another showdown in the epic Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen rivalry has instead been overrun with absurd, nonsensical narratives surrounding the Divisional Round referees.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game this Sunday with a bid at the historic three-peat at stake. Since there's so much conversation around the referees, it's important to know who will be making the calls.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs and their detractors alike, the referee assignment actually puts Kansas City at a disadvantage.

Chiefs vs. Bills AFC Championship Game Referee Announced

Clete Blakeman will serve as the head referee. What specific crew is working the game shouldn't ultimately make a difference, but the scales here won't be tipped in the Chiefs' favor as some would lead you to believe.

If Blakeman's name sounds familiar, it's because he was who called the infamous phantom roughing the passer penalty on Chris Jones in the 2018-19 AFC Championship when Kansas City lost to the New England Patriots in overtime. He was also the referee when the Chiefs fell to the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day last year, which was the most recent game of Kansas City's that he called.

Mahomes is 6-5 in his career with Blakeman's crew and there's evidence to suggest Blakeman won't be swayed by the frenzied crowd at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Home teams won just 31.25% of the games Blakeman worked this season compared to a league average of 54.26%. He calls an average of 15.75 penalties per game, throwing just under three flags more each contest than the typical matchup with an extra 29 yards. As a sour cherry on top, home teams are more frequently penalized than road ones.

Is there cause to be concerned? Probably not. Either the Chiefs will play well and they'll win or they won't and they'll lose. Either way, it's ironic to consider that Kansas City might actually be fighting the referees after all the fuss the national media raised.

As things stand, the Chiefs are 1.5-point favorites over the Bills with +210 odds to win the Super Bowl over at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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