NFL Makes Punishment Decision on Texans Players Who Hit Patrick Mahomes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Jan 25, 2025 5:09 PM ET

The NFL season is heading into conference title weekend, with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles left standing.

Ahead of the Chiefs' AFC Championship Game matchup against the Bills, the NFL announced official fines and punishments for illegal plays made during the Divisional Round.

In Kansas City's matchup between the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round, Texans star Will Anderson and linebacker Henry To'oTo'o were dealt a pair of penalties.

Anderson was called for a roughing-the-passer penalty on Mahomes while To'oTo'o was hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty for contacting the Chiefs quarterback.

Despite both flags during the Chiefs-Texans game, Anderson and To'oTo'o did not receive fines after the NFL reviewed the plays.

The NFL didn’t fine #Texans DE Will Anderson Jr. or LB Henry To’oTo’o for their hits on Patrick Mahomes that yielded controversial penalties in last week’s playoff game.

That isn’t an admission of an officiating error. But neither play rose to the level of a fine.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 25, 2025

As NFL analyst Tom Pelissero explained, the NFL's decision to exempt Anderson and To'oTo'o from a fine "isn’t an admission of an officiating error," but neither play was deemed worthy of a fine.

The Chiefs went on to defeat the Texans 23-14, advancing to the AFC Championship Game against Buffalo.

The Chiefs will now prepare to face the Bills on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET. They're entering the AFC Championship Game as a 2.5-point favorite, per ESPN BET.

Kansas City is attempting to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls, after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in each of the last two seasons.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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