Steelers' Cam Heyward Takes Direct Shot At Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes For Being NFL's Biggest Flopper

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves out of the playoffs after a heartbreaking loss to the Baltimore Ravens during the Wild Card Round. Despite the defeat, the playoffs went on and provided some great games for NFL fans. The Buffalo Bills avenged the Steelers as they took down the Ravens, while the Kansas City Chiefs beat out the Houston Texans. The Chiefs win sparked some controversy, especially with the officiating and how the officials treat quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs were expected to take down the Texans, and they won the game by a score of 23-14. The game was relatively close throughout the contest, but there were some questionable calls that went in favor of Kansas City. Mahomes was the recipient of a roughing the passer call on Will Anderson Jr., and the defense was also called for unnecessary roughness on a play where Mahomes was a runner and baited the defense into almost hitting him. Steelers captain and defensive tackle Cam Heyward was asked about these calls on the most recent episode of Not Just Football, and he shared that he is well aware that Mahomes will get every call.

"Yeah, Mahomes is going to get calls," Heyward explained. "He's been an MVP in our game; he sells tickets. As a defense, you know you're under a microscope when you play him. The second they think it's questionable, it's probably getting thrown. And he sells with the best of them. He's the Bruce Bowen, he's the Manu Ginobili where they're flopping and flailing their arms out there. The thing he's notorious for you know is his sideline scurries up the side, I think that needs to be a concern with replay because if you're not careful, he'll scurry off for eight yards and a first down."

Heyward seems to be well aware that Mahomes is officiated differently than other quarterbacks around the NFL. There are other active MVPs at the position, but Mahomes is a different story as he has won three Super Bowls and is clearly the NFL's golden boy. This is the same type of treatment that Tom Brady got throughout his career, especially towards the end.

Some of the calls going in favor of Mahomes have been a bit egregious. During the Chiefs' Divisional Round win over the Texans, a roughing the passer call extended one of Kansas City's drives that wound up resulting in a field goal, which could certainly change the trajectory of a playoff game.

Anderson definitely hits Mahomes, but he hits him in the chest and he did not wait too long after the quarterback released the football. The penalty was called because of helmet-to-helmet contact, which was not present on the play. These types of calls can't be messed up during the season, let alone in the playoffs, and it happened twice in favor of the Chiefs against the Texans. 

Steelers Can See A Difference In The Calls Patrick Mahomes Gets

Most football fans can easily compare the referees' favoritism of Mahomes to the type of treatment Brady used to receive, but it is a much bigger problem with Mahomes. Brady was a stagnant passer. Mahomes moves around in the pocket, and he can do some serious damage with his legs if he gets past the line of scrimmage. Heyward mentioned Mahomes' ability to get down the sideline and act as if he is going out of bounds, but then stays in to gain extra yardage.

These methods from the quarterback put defenders in interesting positions. They can risk hitting him and getting penalized for a shorter gain, or hope he actually goes out of bounds. This is area of the game the NFL needs to fix. As of right now, it plays directly to the Chiefs' advantage.

What do you think about Heyward's comments on Mahomes and the Chiefs? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation