The Buffalo Bills are expressing their dissatisfaction with the NFL following a controversial interception that occurred during overtime in their playoff game against the Denver Broncos. Head coach Sean McDermott voiced his frustration after the Bills fell to the Broncos 33-30, calling out the league for what he believes was an erroneous ruling.
This incident has sparked widespread discussion among former players and analysts, many of whom agree with McDermott”s stance. The pivotal play unfolded with 7:55 remaining in overtime. As the Bills aimed for a game-winning drive, quarterback Josh Allen targeted receiver Brandin Cooks on a crucial third down. Cooks initially caught the ball, but it was subsequently wrestled away by Broncos cornerback Ja”Quan McMillian as they hit the ground. The officials ruled it an interception, granting possession to Denver, who then scored the game-winning field goal.
Among those who criticized the decision was former NFL cornerback and current analyst Richard Sherman, who stated he has never seen a play like that ruled anything other than a catch. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky echoed this sentiment, insisting that the play should have been classified as a catch without hesitation. Ten-year veteran Marshall Newhouse also weighed in, asserting that the ruling should have favored the Bills with either a catch or, at the very least, an incomplete pass.
Conversely, former Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe supported the officials” decision, referencing the rule that a receiver must maintain possession throughout the entire catch process. Former NFL official Gene Steratore, who had previously stated on-air that he believed the play was an interception, provided a detailed analysis the following morning. He pointed to the NFL rulebook to explain why the call was made, noting that while Cooks met the first two criteria of the catch rule, he ultimately did not maintain possession long enough to complete a play.
Another rules analyst, Walt Anderson, concurred, stating that once Cooks hit the ground, the ball became loose. He argued that if the ball had hit the ground without ending up in McMillian”s hands, it would have been ruled an incomplete pass. Former official Terry McAulay also sided with the on-field ruling of an interception.
Critics of the call have noted that the league”s inconsistency could be called into question. A similar situation earlier in the season involving Aaron Rodgers saw an interception overturned upon review, leading to questions about how the NFL”s officiating standards vary from week to week. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk highlighted this discrepancy, asking what had shifted in officiating standards between these two significant calls.
Despite the NFL rulebook seemingly backing the officials” decision, Bills fans are likely to remain discontent, particularly given the contrasting rulings from previous games.
