There aren’t many things that can happen on a football field that the collected experience of the 2 head coaches in Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round haven’t seen between Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton.
What happened with the Bills driving to win the game in overtime ended up being one of those few things, when Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted a deep pass by Josh Allen. Through an incredible feat of strength and athleticism, McMillian managed to wrestle the ball away from wide receiver Brandin Cooks as the 2 smashed into the turf and tumbled along the ground.
The normal time we’re used to NFL officials taking to rule on such an important — and confusing — play was absent as officials told each team to play on without an extended review.
McDermott, not able to throw a challenge flag in overtime, even called a timeout in hopes the play would, at the very least, get a closer examination.
Following the interception, the Broncos drove for a game-winning, 24-yard field goal by Will Lutz to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
“This may go down as the most controversial call of ALL TIME,” NFL reporter John Frascella wrote on X. “Brandin Cooks has it, knee hits the ground, McMillan comes up with it afterward … Broncos ball?? I guess I just don’t understand football anymore.”
Afterward, McDermott didn’t hold back with his thoughts on the play that ended up costing his team their season.
McDermott Sounds Off on Controversial Call
While the call was controversial, it’s also worth pointing out the interception was one of 5 turnovers by the Bills.
” … It’s hard for me, now I’ve had a chance to look at it again, to understand the way it was ruled,” McDermott said in his postgame press conference. “If it is ruled that way, why isn’t it slowed down to make sure we have this thing right. Tht’s a pivotal point in the game, we have the ball at the 20 and maybe kicking a game-winning field goal right there. I’m saying that because I’m standing up for Buffalo … what went on is not how it should go down. Those guys spend 3 hours out there, playing their guts out, we should slow it down and make sure we get it right.”
It’s the sixth consecutive season the Bills have lost in the AFC Divisional Round or the AFC Championship Game. In 9 seasons as Buffalo’s head coach, McDermott has made the playoffs 8 times.
Officials Give Explanation to Pool Reporter
Officials explained the call to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, who was the designated pool reporter by the Professional Football Writers Association.
“The receiver has to complete the process of a catch,” lead referee Carl Cheffers said. “He was going to the ground as part of the process of the catch and he lost possession of the ball when he hit the ground. The defender gained possession of it at that point. The defender was the one who completed the process of the catch, so the defender was awarded the ball.”
The Broncos, the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs, will host the winner of Sunday’s other AFC Divisional Round game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans for a trip to the Super Bowl.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bills HC Sean McDermott Sounds Off on Controversial Ending Against Broncos appeared first on Heavy Sports.