Joe Mixon has successfully appealed a $25,000 fine stemming from his comments regarding officiating after the Texans' playoff loss to the Chiefs. The NFL appeals officer, Chris Palmer, ruled that Mixon's statements did not constitute a direct criticism of the officials. Initially, the fine was based on a misattributed social media comment. Mixon expressed frustration after Houston's defense suffered multiple penalties against Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, highlighting the need for teams to avoid relying on officiating in critical game moments.