The Buffalo Bills saw their season come to a sad end in Saturday’s loss to the Denver Broncos, with plenty of controversy in the 33-30 overtime defeat.
The Bills rallied late to overcome a deficit, getting a last-second field goal to tie the game and send it to overtime. After holding the Broncos on their first possession of overtime, the Bills got the ball back and faced a 3rd-and-10 play. Quarterback Josh Allen looked for receiver Brandin Cooks deep in field-goal range, but Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian snatched the ball away after Cooks hit the ground.
Officials ruled the play an interception, which sparked some strong pushback from those who thought that Cooks had clear possession.
NFL Fans Angry After Interception Call
Though the play was ruled an interception on the field, it appeared that Cooks hit the ground with sole possession of the ball and was contacted by McMillian, which would have ruled the play dead and put the Bills in range for a game-winning field goal.
But officials ruled that Cooks never had full possession, with McMillian ripping it away and gaining possession.
Many disagreed, saying officials missed the call and turned the game to the Broncos. NFL reporter John Frascella called it one of the most controversial calls in NFL history.
“This may go down as the most controversial call of ALL TIME,” Frascella wrote in a post on X. “Brandin Cooks has it, knee hits the ground McMillan comes up with it afterward ⦠Broncos ball?? I guess I just donât understand football anymore.”
Others believed that even if McMillian did gain possession, it would have been simultaneous with Cook and by rule a completion.
“This is â AT WORST â simultaneous possession,” noted reporter Grant Paulsen in a post on X. “Which would count as a catch. And thatâs being generous to the DB. This is such a catch.”
Even Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports, a longtime New England Patriots supporter who is no fan of the Bills, had sympathy for the Bills after the call.
“This was called an interception and it ended the Bills season. What did Bills fans do to deserve this torture?” Portnoy shared in a post on X.
There was more controversy on Denver’s next possession, when the Bills were flagged twice for pass interference, including one on cornerback Tre’Davious White to set up the Broncos for the game-winning field goal.
“53 yards in penalties on an OT drive in the playoffs,” wrote ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky. “Thatâs just bad officiating.”
Bills Frustrated, Angry After Loss
The Bills appeared emotional after the loss, with Allen wiping away tears as he took to the podium to take questions from reporters. Allen blamed himself, noting his three turnovers including a fumble in the seconds before halftime that allowed the Broncos to take a 10-point lead.
Others were angry at the outcome. Edge rusher Joey Bosa, who was flagged for roughing the passer on Denver’s game-winning drive, threw his helmet in frustration while walking through the tunnel after the game.
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