Could Patrick Mahomes’ Actions Lead The NFL to Join The NBA and NHL in Cracking Down on Flopping?

The NFL’s divisional round games were marred by controversy, with several questionable calls drawing the ire of fans and analysts alike. However, it was a non-call that has sparked a heated debate about the league’s approach to flopping. During the Kansas City Chiefs’ 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was accused of trying to deceive officials into throwing a flag.

The incident occurred in the fourth quarter, when Mahomes scrambled to his left and pulled up just as he went out of bounds. As linebacker Henry To’oTo’o tapped him, Mahomes dramatically threw himself to the ground, but failed to fool the officials. ESPN broadcaster Troy Aikman was quick to call out Mahomes’ antics, saying, “He’s trying to draw the penalty. Rather than just run out of bounds, he slows down.”

Aikman’s comments were echoed by ESPN’s rules analyst Russell Yurk, who concurred that no flag should have been thrown on the play. The incident has sparked calls for the NFL to crack down on flopping, with Aikman urging the league to address the issue in the offseason. “They’ve gotta address it in the offseason,” Aikman said.

The NFL has long been criticized for its inconsistent approach to officiating, and the latest controversy has only added fuel to the fire. While the league has rules in place to penalize unsportsmanlike conduct, there is no specific rule against flopping. This has led to accusations that players are being allowed to manipulate the officials and gain an unfair advantage.

The issue is not limited to Mahomes or the Chiefs. Flopping has become a widespread problem in the NFL, with players on all teams attempting to deceive officials into throwing flags. It’s a problem that the league must address if it wants to maintain the integrity of the game.

As the NFL heads into the conference championships, the spotlight will be on the officials to get the calls right. But it’s also time for the league to take a hard look at its approach to flopping and to consider implementing rules that will prevent players from manipulating the officials. The integrity of the game depends on it.