Controversy Surrounds Referee Selection for Chiefs-Bills Game

Shawn Hochuli's history with both teams stirs debate and conspiracy theories among fans.

Shawn Hochuli, known for calling a penalty-filled game, will be the referee for the AFC Divisional round game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills were penalized 40 times for 347 yards in the last four games that Hochuli has reffed, including this season’s OT loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Hochuli has officiated 10 of Kansas City’s games in the Patrick Mahomes era, with the Chiefs going 8-2 in those contests. In the playoffs, KC is 2-0 with Hochuli reffing.
Some Bills fans have taken to social media to claim the NFL is rigging it so Taylor Swift will attend the Super Bowl, suggesting a bias towards the Chiefs.
The Chiefs eliminated the Bills in the AFC Championship game in 2021 and in the AFC Divisional round the next year. However, both of those games were in Kansas City, so the Bills are pleased this game will be in Buffalo.