So the NFL was on full display this weekend

[Best22]

Low hit on Bortles went uncalled.

The league plays favorites. The NFL isn't out to "screw the Chiefs," it's just that we don't get treated like the favorites. We don't have a Brady or an Antonio Brown. We aren't the Steelers or Broncos.

Many fans believe if Mahomes becomes a good, young, marketable quarterback the problem will change. Alex Smith is none of those things. The feeling is the league wants the masses to watch playoffs between big names. The league wants to keep "big names" healthy.

The league hasn't "gone soft." They are just overprotective of a few players. Nobody in the NFL cares if Bortles or Tyrod get roughed up. But you better not breath on Rodgers and Brady

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

I think this is the closest to accurate. The refs aren't actively trying to generate any particular outcome, but they bend their judgment to the cachet of the players involve in any particular situation.

And if there's a single argument in favor of Mahomes I actively loathe, this is it.

If we actually have the prospect of being a more successful team SOLELY because THE LEAGUE FINDS PATRICK PRETTY and POTENTIALLY LUCRATIVE, I don't want that success and I don't want to watch anything associated with that product.

You might want to develop a new hobby, then, because this is how it works now.