Are the NFL referees really helping the Chiefs win games? This sports analyst says he has proof
NFL analyst Craig Carton claims league officials rigged games to help the Chiefs, citing Dan Campbell’s account of a disputed Lions touchdown.
Craig Carton, a New York sports radio host known for his outspoken style, says he has proof that the NFL is rigging games to favor the Kansas City Chiefs.
His source? Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell. So what happened?
Carton made the allegation on his show, saying that “everything I’ve been saying about the NFL rigging games on behalf of the Kansas City Chiefs through the officials is happening in real time. The officials confirmed it to Dan Campbell. Because Dan Campbell just said… that when he was questioning, ‘We just scored a touchdown, why are we being forced to wait one minute and 14 seconds to kick the extra point?’ it was because the NFL in New York picked up the phone, buzzed into the officiating crew, told them to overturn the touchdown, and created a penalty that was not called by any official on the field.”
According to Carton, this shows the NFL is “controlling the outcome of games to favor a team they think needs to make it to a Super Bowl.”
Dov Kleiman, an NFL aggregator and social-media analyst, reposted Carton’s comments on X, sparking fresh debate about officiating and league transparency.
What happened in the Chiefs vs Lions game?
Early in the Chiefs–Lions game on Monday, October 13, the Lions executed a trick play on fourth and goal from the half-yard line. Quarterback Jared Goff lined up under center, then ran out wide left and received the ball from David Montgomery, who had turned into the acting quarterback for the play. Goff nearly dropped the ball but made it into the end zone for what the Lions thought was a touchdown.
After a delay of more than a minute, a flag was thrown and the touchdown was wiped off the board for illegal motion. The rule states that if the quarterback begins under center but then shifts into the backfield, he must pause briefly before the snap so the defense can recognize he’s no longer under center. Goff didn’t stop, so the call was correct.
Controversy on Lions penalty
The controversy arose because Dan Campbell said the instruction to call the penalty came from the NFL’s officiating office in New York. “I know it came from New York, and they said he never stopped. He stayed in motion. He can’t stay in motion. That was that,” said the head coach. He also accepted responsibility for the play, saying it was his fault Goff didn’t stop because he hadn’t explained the play clearly enough.
The problem is that the NFL’s officiating headquarters in New York can provide input to the on-field crew, but they cannot—under league rules—call or create penalties that the on-field crew missed. So if the call did come from New York, it would be an overreach of the command center’s authority.
Referee Craig Wrolstad said the crew did not receive any direct instruction from New York to throw the flag.
What’s the truth about the NFL favoring the Chiefs?
Accusations that the NFL favors the Chiefs have become a recurring fan refrain, often echoed by some analysts, including Carton. However, the evidence is far from clear. An academic study of more than 13,000 penalty calls between 2015 and 2023 found that Kansas City benefited from more subjective calls, such as pass interference and roughing the passer, in the postseason than most teams, though the same research showed no such trend during the regular season. Former officials like Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino have dismissed claims of bias as a myth, and Commissioner Roger Goodell has called them “ridiculous.” The data points to patterns rather than proof: the Chiefs may have enjoyed the rub of the green in high-profile moments, but there’s no sign the league itself is tilting the field.
While there’s no hard proof that the NFL is actively favoring the Chiefs, it’s easy to see why the perception sticks. Patrick Mahomes is the league’s biggest global star, Kansas City draws massive TV audiences, and their success makes commercial sense for broadcast partners and sponsors alike. A Chiefs Super Bowl boosts ratings and revenue far more than a matchup without a marquee name. Still, the league’s business model depends on parity—keeping every fan base engaged—so any edge the Chiefs appear to get is more likely the product of market gravity, human bias, or simply the advantage that comes with being one of the league’s best teams, rather than a deliberate tilt from the league office.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.