"NFL is rigged" - Fans lose their minds after Chiefs catch lucky break vs. Bengals

The AFC Championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals was already hyped up to the maximum. It did not need any more spice or drama to liven it up.

It saw two of the best quarterbacks in the game, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, going head-to-head. It was the second consecutive AFC Championship game between the same teams. There was a lot of needling on both sides, with the Bengals reinforcing the point before the game that Mahomes was 0-3 against Burrow.

As it invariably seems to always happen in the NFL, the referees decided to get in on the action as well. During a third-and-nine, the Bengals stopped Patrick Mahomes. The punt team was ready to go, but then the referees said that the clock had moved without their notification.

Neither of the teams seemed to have heard the call, but the officials allowed the Chiefs to replay the third down. Cincinnati was infuriated but had no option but to try to stop the Chiefs again.

Proof that the NFL is rigged. Refs gave the Chiefs an extra play on 3rd and 9 and then called the Bengals for holding on the next play. #AFCChampionshipGame https://t.co/wshzVyTlFm

They managed to do that by sacking the Chiefs quarterback. But Eli Apple was called for pass interference in the secondary, which allowed Kansas City to get a first down. NFL fans were furious with the officials and felt they intentionally supported Patrick Mahomes over Joe Burrow. They let their feelings be known on Twitter.

The NFL is rigged. It's just rigged. The #Chiefs were going to punt.Never seen this in my life.

This is the most rigged the NFL has ever looked what the fuck?

This game is rigged @NFL I'm not even a Bengals fan but there needs to be a investigation on the refs of this game #AFCChampionshipGame #NFL #rigged

NFL Rigged, worst game I’ve ever seen https://t.co/ogR0T4medH

If today isn’t proof that the NFL is scripted I don’t know what is lol these officials are ensuring it’s an Eagles v Chiefs Super Bowl…… @NFL #Rigged #nflrigged #afccg

So why was the head judge not blowing and waiving his hands?! @NFL #Rigged #CINatKC #NFL #AFCChampionshipGame #CincinnatiBengals #KansasCityChiefs #RogerGoodell https://t.co/i7gTuHe9Dy

The NFL is rigged. 100%. They want the chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Game is clearly rigged for the Chiefs #nfl #rigged

They are totally screwing Cincy… NFL rigged fix is happening

This is the worst officiated game I’ve ever seen #NFLRigged #refs #bengals

Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals play a modern-day thriller

Recent games between the Chiefs and the Bengals have always produced a lot of drama, and this latest iteration was not short of talking points. Despite all the talk about the referees, it was players on both sides who were the stars today.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce battled through ankle and back injuries, respectively. Marquez Valdes-Scantling came good when the Chiefs were seriously lacking in receiving firepower. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase made some great plays to keep the game close.

The Bengals may definitely feel hard done by with the referees, with Zac Taylor also fuming on the sidelines when the call was made. But Cincinnati has done well this year whenever it has had a chip on the shoulder.

The best way for the Bengals to respond is to keep their heads down and work hard in the offseason.