The 2025 NFL season has been anything but ordinary, with controversies making headlines almost as often as the games themselves. And you know how it goes; the team that loses is always the first to scream about bad calls or missed flags. I’ve seen fans roasting the Chiefs with those “refball” memes again, and yeah, they’re funny… but come on, not every close call means the refs are rigging the game. Sometimes you just gotta tip your cap to the team that actually pulled it off.

Honestly, it’s best to stay away from these debates like Justin Fields dodging sacks. Week 6 didn’t disappoint, bringing its fair share of small and not-so-small controversies. And no, we’re not just talking about Brian Branch’s punch, we’re breaking it all down.

Chiefs Referee Calls Light Up “Rigged” Talk Again

Unhappy NFL fans think the Chiefs–Lions “Sunday Night Football” game was rigged after a bunch of questionable calls went against Dan Campbell’s crew. Let’s be honest, Patrick Mahomes was unreal again. It wasn’t easy facing a Lions team that’s been rolling lately, yet he still found a way.

Sure, fans and critics believe some calls went the Chiefs’ way, like they always say, but I don’t think that’s the case. Remember in week 4 when referee Alex Kemp dropped that hilarious line during the Lions–Seahawks game after an intentional grounding call went against Seattle? When Smith tried to plead his case, Kemp told him, “I’m talking to America here, excuse me.” That says it all. These refs know the whole country’s watching; it’s not like they think they’re getting spared.

During the Chiefs’ dynasty run, refs have taken plenty of heat for supposedly rigging games for Mahomes and company. Just last week, fans accused them of picking up a flag only because Mahomes argued his case. Whether people like it or not, the officials didn’t make things any easier for themselves this time either.

Aidan Hutchinson was called for roughing the passer on Patrick Mahomes.

The Flop 👑 pic.twitter.com/s9WdC1zelu

— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) October 13, 2025

Travis Kelce looked like he got away with a holding call on the Chiefs’ late touchdown drive, and Aidan Hutchinson got flagged for roughing the passer on Mahomes. And just like that, the postgame debate fired up again.

Stephen A. vs Alexis Ohanian — A Super Bowl Clapback

So Stephen A. Smith finally fired back after Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, called him out over those comments about her Super Bowl cameo with Kendrick Lamar.

On The Stephen A. Smith Show, he tried to clear things up, saying he never meant any disrespect. “People said Alexis came at me because of what I said when Serena was on stage,” he said. “I’ve never even met the guy — wish I was in the studio when he stopped by First Take. I’ve got nothing against him, none at all.”

Stephen A. also explained that he wasn’t on set that day because of a speaking gig and felt like people twisted his words. His original point? Simple — if his wife brought that kind of “energy” toward an ex, he wouldn’t be thrilled about it. “I wasn’t throwing shade,” he said. “He’s her husband, they’ve got two amazing kids, and I respect that.” Basically, Smith was saying what a lot of people might think, just in his usual loud, way.

Ohanian didn’t ignore it, though. When he appeared on First Take, he got his little jab in. “Stephen A., you had some marriage advice for me, right?” he said with a smirk. “I give advice to founders because I build billion-dollar companies. I stay in my lane.” Classic clapback.

Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, confronted Stephen A. Smith over the comments he made about Serena dancing with Kendrick Lamar during the Super Bowl halftime show pic.twitter.com/x8E6NCQ70K

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) October 12, 2025

Smith laughed it off later, saying Ohanian’s comment was fair. “I was just having fun,” he said. “I still stand by what I said — maybe I’d word it better next time — but I respect Alexis. And let’s be real, Serena’s still the GOAT.”

READ MORE: NFL Week 6 Quarterback Rankings – Daniel Jones Cements MVP Case, Baker Mayfield Surges, and Josh Allen’s Bills Hit a Wall

Titans Fire Brian Callahan After 1–5 Start

Well, that didn’t take long. Just six games into Year 2 with Brian Callahan, the Tennessee Titans finally hit their breaking point. After Sunday’s 20–10 loss to the Raiders dropped them to 1–5, the team decided enough was enough.

On Monday, Tennessee officially announced it had fired Callahan, who leaves with a 4–19 record. Honestly, this one’s less of a controversy and more of a wake-up call for about half a dozen other coaches on the hot seat. Just kidding… kind of. Moves like this are the team’s way of saying, “We’re serious about what we’re doing” — even if the on-field product hasn’t shown it yet.

Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said they made the call after long talks with ownership and the GM. “These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people of great character,” Brinker said in a statement. “We’re grateful for Brian’s time and the impact he made on the community.” It was classy, professional, and exactly what you’d expect when a team knows it’s time for a reset.

Later that same day, Tennessee named Mike McCoy as interim head coach. You might remember him from his days leading the Chargers back in 2013–16. Now he’s got the task of cleaning up the mess and trying to give Titans fans something — anything — to cheer about before this season gets completely away from them.

Tua Tagavailoa Throws Teammates Under Bus

The 2025 season has turned into a rough ride for the Miami Dolphins, who sit at 1–5 and can’t seem to find their rhythm without Tyreek Hill. Hill looked oddly cheerful while being carted off after that injury,  maybe he already knew what was coming. Forget I said that. Anyway, ever since their shocking 33–8 loss to the Colts in Week 1, the Dolphins have been stuck in a cycle of “players-only meetings” that seem to do more talking than fixing.

Tua Tagovailoa actually gave fans some hope last week, leading a two-touchdown comeback against the Chargers to take a 27–26 lead with under a minute left.

But then, like clockwork, the defense crumbled and handed away the game on a last-second field goal. Afterward, Tua didn’t hold back in his postgame presser. “We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late,” he said. “We have guys not showing up to player-only meetings.” That’s not exactly the kind of leadership quote you want making headlines, but it told fans everything they needed to know about where this team’s head is at.

When reporters asked what’s next, Tua stayed honest. “The only place we can go is next week,” he said. “We talk about figuring this out, getting it together collectively. I contributed to it with three turnovers. You can’t do that and expect to win.”

Eagles “Tush Push” Under Fire Again

Can someone remind me when the Eagles’ “Tush Push” wasn’t a controversy? Oh wait, I remember now — back when Jalen Hurts wasn’t using it four straight times at the goal line. The defending champs went full steam ahead against the Giants, facing a third-and-1 from the 3-yard line, and ran the Tush Push not once, not twice, but four times in a row before punching it in for a touchdown.

Ah yes! The Tush Push False Start that doesn’t get called! pic.twitter.com/N10caJnS2k

— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) October 10, 2025

Fans and commentators, though, were quick to blow up over a missed false start by offensive lineman Tyler Steen that somehow went unnoticed. That no-call had critics accusing officials of bias and once again questioning whether the NFL’s so-called “most unstoppable play” is getting a little too much help from the stripes. It’s the kind of thing that makes fans roll their eyes and say, “Here we go again.”

Even Stephen A. Smith had seen enough. On First Take, he said, “I never felt this play should be eliminated until last night watching the Eagles do it on four consecutive plays.” He wasn’t alone either — Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons jumped on social media, posting, “This is not football,” and calling the whole thing pure trash. However, he should’ve just used a Jerry Jones decision-making meme instead: would’ve said the same thing, just louder.