Patrick Mahomes’ 23-20 win over the Colts quickly became secondary. The real conversation erupted in the second quarter when two roughing penalties disrupted the game’s rhythm. Chaos intensified throughout the week, and the NFL finally issued a double ruling that surprised both teams.
The first penalty came on Grover Stewart with 4:38 left. The second hit Laiatu Latu with just 32 seconds remaining. Both snaps resulted in incomplete passes. However, the two penalties advanced the Chiefs a free 21 yards. Media pressure grew. Doubts did too. But the league delivered its resolution on Saturday.
The NFL released its Gameday accountability update. The verdict caused immediate impact. Stewart avoided a fine. Latu did too. An unexpected twist. For the Colts, it meant relief after a long week of debate. The league returned to its standard criteria and moved past the noise.
Mahomes questions repeated mistakes
According to Essentiallysports, officials review plays that compromise player safety. A roughing penalty can cost $17,389. A second infraction may rise to $23,186. But with no additional fines, Stewart and Latu remain available. The Colts, now 8-3, prepare for their matchup against Houston.
¡UUUUPS! Los Chiefs ya tenían el TD con Travis Kelce pero los árbitros marcaron erróneamente un castigo por facemask aquí.🤦🏽♂️👀#ChiefsKingdom #ForTheShoe
pic.twitter.com/jwsMwaosqA
— Holy Roller NFL (@HolyRollerNFL) November 23, 2025
For Mahomes, the situation took another turn. The Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys complicated the landscape. Kansas City dropped to 6-6. The quarterback, self-critical, expressed concern about his behavior after the defeat. Pressure to secure a playoff spot is rising.
Jesse Newell of The Athletic described his impression: “No, this wasn’t a remorseful Mahomes. This was an angry one.” He added that the Chiefs might be more talented than last season and that the team’s ceiling looks high when they find rhythm.
Mahomes was direct after the game. “We can beat anyone, but we’ve shown we can lose to anyone. We must be more consistent.” He also noted that small mistakes keep repeating. “That’s what we’ve done all year.”
Ten penalties against the Cowboys left negative feelings. Five were for pass interference. Kansas City must adjust quickly. The season demands immediate stability. Mahomes knows the competitive edge must return before things get worse.
