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Bills coach Sean McDermott couldn’t hide his frustration after Saturday’s heartbreaking 33-30 overtime playoff loss to the Broncos. He sat at his locker replaying one crucial moment over and over – a controversial catch-turned-interception that might have cost Buffalo their season.
“That play is not even close. That’s a catch all the way,” McDermott told reporters after his press conference. “Nobody can convince me that ball isn’t caught and in Buffalo’s possession. The players and fans deserve an explanation for how the NFL handled this.”
The play in question came during Buffalo’s only overtime possession. On third-and-11 from their own 36-yard line, Josh Allen fired downfield to Brandin Cooks, who appeared to secure the catch with a knee down before Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian wrestled the ball away as they tumbled to the ground.
Officials ruled it an interception.
McMillian described the play from his perspective: “He had a step on me, and I just fought through the hands and finished. He actually had the ball coming down, but once I got my hand on it, I was able to take it from him. I fell on top of him and just held the ball up to show the fans some love.”
Controversial Review Process
Since coaches can’t challenge plays in overtime, McDermott called a timeout hoping officials would take a closer look. The play was reviewed by league officials in New York, but the on-field call stood.
“I’m pissed off about it,” McDermott said. “I don’t understand why the head official at the game doesn’t get to look at the same thing people in New York are ruling on.”
Referee Carl Cheffers explained the ruling in a pool report: “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. The defender is the one that completed the process of the catch.”
Cheffers added that replay confirmed the ball never touched the ground.
Cooks acknowledged he should’ve done more to secure the ball, though he believed he made the catch. Several Bills players took to social media after the game to express their disagreement with the call.
“Too big of a play in a moment that potentially decided the game to not even slow it down,” McDermott said. “That’s why I had to call the timeout. It’s not what I wanted to do, but I needed to make sure they took a proper look at it.”
“I’m saying this because I’m standing up for Buffalo, damn it. I’m standing up for us. These guys spend three hours pouring their guts out to not even have someone say, ‘Hey, let’s just slow this thing down.’ That’s why I’m bothered.”
More Controversy on Denver’s Game-Winning Drive
The drama wasn’t over. On Denver’s ensuing possession, Buffalo was flagged for two defensive pass interference penalties — making them just the second team in 25 years to receive multiple such penalties on one overtime drive in either regular season or playoffs. The last team? The 2018 New York Jets against Green Bay.
Cornerback Tre’Davious White, called for the second interference while covering Marvin Mims Jr., strongly disagreed with the penalty that gave Denver the ball at Buffalo’s 8-yard line.
“As a defensive back, that’s what you want: Take the guy to the ground and finish the play. The referees, they just don’t know ball, man,” White said.
White insisted Mims wasn’t looking back for the ball and that he “played through his hands” as he’s been coached to do.
“I didn’t touch him before the ball got there,” White added. “I feel like I finished through the pocket like I’m supposed to.”
The Broncos capitalized on these calls, eventually securing the win and ending Buffalo’s championship hopes in controversial fashion.
