Conspiracy theory behind Chiefs’ late-game safety against Texans – “Someone needs to investigate this”

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans was 23-12 with 15 seconds to go, but finished 23-14, blowing up the 9.5 spread.

Conspiracy theory behind Chiefs’ late-game safety against Texans – “Someone needs to investigate this”

Matt Araiza intentionally running out for a safety during Chiefs-Texans game (Image via Imago/SS)

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans with a scoreline of 23-14 in the Saturday’s AFC Divisional round. However, that score was 23-12 with 15 seconds left in the game and with the ball in the Chiefs hands. On what would have been a punt, punter Matt Araiza instead did something that left fans fuming.

When he received the ball, Araiza was at their own 18-yard line. He then ran backwards into the end and continued to bait Texans’ defenders towards him. When one defender was about to touch him, he ran to his right and out of bounds.

YouTube video

That meant the Chiefs gave two points to the Texans from that safety. Those two points, though, meant the point differential dropped to nine points. Ironically, the Chiefs were a 9.5-point favorite across all betting platforms except Bet365.

FS Video

By finishing with at 9, those who placed bets on the winning spread lost their bets on that final Chiefs play. Fans’ frustrations were already at their peak watching bad officiating seemingly gift the Chiefs the win.

Had the Houston Texans scored on their previous drive, those betting on the point differential would have anyway lost. Since they did not, the Kansas City Chiefs designing a play and asking Matt Araiza to run backwards for a safety made it seem all too obvious that something else was in play.

RELATED
Roger Goodell feels 18-game NFL regular reason in near future is “logical” step
Roger Goodell

One of the safest bets in sports is the spread. What makes it safe is the fact that fans keep betting on that spread until betting companies stop taking anymore bets. This means fans holding those bets were excited they would get a return on their money with just 15 seconds to go.

Fans question motive of Chiefs safety which erased bets on the spread

Keen-eye fans feel there was no need for the Kansas City Chiefs to execute that safety. On top of it, it’s not as if Matt Araiza wanted even more controversy on his head. All special teams players knew the assignment, which also meant the coaches knew. If the coaches knew, it must have come from above where they were told to execute that play.

Kansas City Chiefs had won the game by the time of the safety
Kansas City Chiefs had won the game by the time of the safety (Image via NFL/X)

Following the hierarchy, fans feel it is likely that the Chiefs were asked by betting companies to blow the game up. That theory saw fans take to social media to vent their frustrations. Check out examples of those below.

RELATED
NFL Divisional Round: Where and how to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills, live stream, and broadcast details
NFL Divisional Round Where and how to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills, live stream, and broadcast details

There is no doubt that betting companies do not like to give away their money. On top of that, anyone associated with sporting teams cannot partake in gambling. The league has suspended anyone who has done so. Fans losing their money to such plays might start a discourse where they file a grievance.

Related: Former Eagles RB highlights Saquon Barkley’s surprising weakness