NFL Ref Explains Penalty on Patrick Mahomes Hit in Chiefs' Playoff Win vs. Texans

NFL referee Clay Martin explained the penalty he called on the Houston Texans during Saturday night's Divisional Round game by saying Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was "considered defenseless" while sliding.

"He slid, obviously, and when he slides, he is considered defenseless," Martin told KPRC2's Aaron Wilson (h/t NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.) "The onus is on the defender. I had forcible contact there to the hairline, to the helmet."

Texans linebacker Henry To'oTo'o was flagged for a 15-yard penalty after hitting a sliding Mahomes in the third quarter.

The Chiefs clinched a spot in the AFC Championship Game with a 23-14 win.

The penalty on To'oTo'o marked the second time the Texans were called for roughing the passer. Will Anderson was also flagged after hitting Mahomes in the first quarter.

Martin said in his postgame pool interview that he decided to call the penalty because of "forcible contact to the face mask area."

Anderson said after the loss that the Texans "knew it was going to be us against the refs going into this game."

To'oTo'o also expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating following the Texans' loss.

"You can't really, I don't know. It makes me mad, but it is what it is, honestly," To'oTo'o said. "Nothing much you can do."

To'oTo'o continued: "As soon as the quarterback leaves the pocket, he's a runner. And he gets treated as a runner, in my opinion. So, runners slide, and get hit, and stuff like that doesn't happen."

With the victory, the Chiefs advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the seventh time in as many seasons with Mahomes as starter.

Kansas City will be taking on either the Bills or Ravens for a shot at their third straight Super Bowl win next Sunday. The two remaining AFC competitors kick off their own Divisional Round clash Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. ET.