Texans' Anderson: 'We knew it was going to be us against the refs'

Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson wasn't impressed with the officiating in the team's divisional-round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

"We knew it was going to be us against the refs going into this game," Anderson told reporters, including Fox 26 Houston's Will Kunkel.

He added: "We just gotta keep going, man. Next offseason, get the guys together and everybody coming together, and just keep building that team chemistry, and get us past this hump."

The Chiefs were the beneficiaries of two questionable penalties: a roughing the passer penalty committed by Anderson, and unnecessary roughness committed by linebacker Henry To'oTo'o, both on quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The former resulted in a Chiefs field goal, and the latter set up a touchdown for tight end Travis Kelce. Those 10 points helped Kansas City win 23-14.

Referee Clay Martin told reporters, including KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson, that he called the penalty on Anderson after seeing "forcible contact to the facemask area." Martin also defended the call on To'oTo'o, noting that there was "forcible contact" to Mahomes' helmet.

"He slid, obviously, and when he slides, he is considered defenseless," Martin said regarding To'oTo'o's penalty. "The onus is on the defender."

Anderson registered four tackles and two sacks in the game. The Texans became the first team in NFL postseason history to outgain their opponent by over 100 yards, commit zero turnovers, and lose.