CBS lead analyst Tony Romo once again found himself at the center of social media criticism following a brief but highly noticeable slip during the AFC Divisional Round clash between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. The veteran broadcaster accidentally referred to Bills quarterback Josh Allen as "Patrick Mahomes" during a highlight run, triggering instant reactions from fans and reigniting long-running debates about Romo's commentary style.
A Harmless Mistake That Went Viral Instantly
The incident occurred midway through the second quarter as Allen escaped pressure and took off on a scramble. In the heat of the moment, Romo exclaimed, "Look at Mahomes right here," before quickly correcting himself. While some dismissed it as a simple slip of the tongue, the clip spread rapidly across social media platforms like X and Instagram, with fans replaying the moment and questioning how often Mahomes' name appears in Romo's commentary.
For many viewers, the timing made the mistake particularly glaring. The Kansas City Chiefs are not in the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, yet Mahomes still managed to become part of a postseason broadcast that had nothing to do with his team. The backlash was swift and familiar, with one fan writing, "Tony Romo is so deprived of playoff Mahomes that he's starting to think Josh Allen is Patrick Mahomes." Another added, "Omg that's horrible... Tony Romo called him Mahomes Saturday. The media says dumb stuff."
Perceived Favoritism and Muscle Memory
This is not the first time Romo has faced accusations of favoritism toward certain players. His long-running role as the voice of CBS's biggest Chiefs games has created a perception, fair or not, that he gravitates toward Mahomes in key moments. Interestingly, just moments before the mistake, CBS had aired a graphic featuring Mahomes while discussing the Chiefs' absence from the playoffs, suggesting Romo may have fallen victim to muscle memory rather than any deliberate bias.
A Mixed Night in the Broadcast Booth
Ironically, the same game also showcased why Romo remains one of the most recognizable analysts in professional football. Late in the first half, he accurately predicted a Broncos touchdown, breaking down the coverage and calling the exact route Lil'Jordan Humphrey would run before Bo Nix delivered the pass. For many viewers, this was a flashback to Romo's early years in broadcasting, when his exceptional play recognition made him must-watch television.
Looking Ahead to the AFC Championship
Romo and play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz will return to the booth for the AFC Championship Game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots for their final broadcast of the season, with CBS not carrying the Super Bowl this year. This will be another high-profile stage for Romo, who now works under heavier scrutiny than at any point since joining CBS in 2017.
The viral moment, though lasting barely a second, highlights the hyper-reactive nature of modern NFL broadcasting where every comment is dissected in real-time across social media platforms. While Romo's mistake was ultimately harmless, it has sparked renewed discussion about analyst objectivity, fan expectations, and the pressure of live sports commentary in the digital age.
