The Buffalo Bills’ playoff hopes came to a dramatic and frustrating end Saturday night, as they fell 33-30 to the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round. The loss, however, was overshadowed by a controversial call in overtime that left Bills coach Sean McDermott and his team fuming.
On Buffalo’s only possession in the extra frame, quarterback Josh Allen launched a deep pass to wide receiver Brandin Cooks on third-and-11 from the Bills’ 36-yard line. Cooks appeared to secure the ball, take a knee, and complete the catch. But Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian fought through and wrested the ball away, ultimately being awarded an interception. The ruling immediately sparked outrage among the Bills’ players and staff, with McDermott repeatedly stating he believed the play was a clear completion.
“That play is not even close. That’s a catch all the way … and nobody can convince me otherwise,” McDermott said after the game. “I just have no idea how the NFL handled it. The players and the fans deserve an explanation.” Because overtime challenges are not permitted, McDermott called a timeout to ensure he understood the replay process. He emphasized that the head official on the field should have had the same review authority as the officials in New York, noting, “I’m standing up for Buffalo, damn it. I’m standing up for us.”
The Bills’ frustration grew as the Broncos went on a game-winning drive, aided by two defensive pass interference penalties on Buffalo. Cornerback Tre’Davious White disputed the second penalty, which gave Denver an 8-yard line advantage. “As a defensive back, you play through the ball. I didn’t touch him before the ball got there,” White said. “Referees just don’t know the ball, man.”
From Denver’s perspective, McMillian described his effort to secure the interception as a hard-fought, decisive play. “He actually had the ball coming down, and once I had my hand on the ball, I was able to take it from him. I fell on top of him and held the ball up for the fans,” McMillian said. Broncos coach Sean Payton called it “an amazing play,” highlighting the defensive skill involved in securing the turnover at such a critical moment.
Referee Carl Cheffers later defended the call, explaining that Cooks did not complete the process of the catch. “The receiver has to complete the process of a catch. He was going to the ground as part of the process and lost possession when he hit the ground. The defender gained possession at that point,” Cheffers said. He clarified that replay confirmed the ball never touched the ground, which solidified the interception ruling.
The Bills’ disappointment was compounded by Allen’s first career playoff win eluding him in just his first season with Buffalo. Despite completing 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards and connecting with rookie star Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown, the team could not overcome the officiating controversies and penalties.
Fans and players took to social media after the game, voicing support for Cooks and frustration at what they saw as a pivotal call that decided the game. McDermott expressed that, while the loss stung, it also highlighted the importance of clarity and fairness in officiating for critical playoff moments.
As the Bills look ahead, the hope will be that the lessons from this controversial game help prepare them for the challenges of next season. But for now, the sting of a playoff defeat—and a disputed call that could have shifted the outcome—remains a painful memory for Buffalo.
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