The AFC Divisional round game between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos ended in chaos last night. Bills head coach Sean McDermott fired back at the officials over a game-deciding interception. The controversial call gave the Broncos a 30-30 victory in the final seconds of the tied game.
“I’m standing up for Buffalo, dammit, I’m standing up for us,” McDermott told reporters after the loss, according to The Daily Mail. “What went on is not… that is not how it should go down, in my estimation.”The game was tied at 30-30 when Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw a deep ball to receiver Brandin Cooks.
Broncos safety Ja’Quan McMillian covered him closely, and both players fought for the ball all the way to the ground. They landed in a messy pile, and McMillian got up with the ball, sending the Denver stadium into a frenzy. The main issue is that it looked like Cooks might have had control of the ball with his knee already down. The play was never reviewed. The Broncos rushed to the line and snapped the ball before the replay booth could call for a review, ending the game.
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The play should have been reviewed before the game ended
Referee Carl Cheffers explained the call in the post-game report. “The receiver has to complete the process of a catch. 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,” Cheffers said. He argued that McMillian completed the catch process, so Denver got the ball.
That explanation didn’t satisfy many people. Fans who believe Cooks made the catch called the officiating “completely scripted.” One user wrote, “We got another first in @NFL history. A @BuffaloBills wide receiver catches and is down with possession of the ball and AFTER the fact Denver defense ‘strips the ball’ for an ‘interception’. The @NFL is 100% rigged. The @NFLOfficiating can fck right off.”
Another fan said, “Lifelong Denver broncos fan how is this not a catch. NFL I wanted to win but not like this. Buffalo bills fans I am sorry so rigged. Refs lie photos don’t. Sean Payton at it again.” A different user wrote, “Last @NFL game I ever watch. Same shit everytime. Never can be real or fair. Game shouldve been over. 1st and goal on the 1 Missed pass interference @BuffaloBills but immediately called against them on next drive for @Broncos. Fixed rigged games.”
One fan wrote, “The refs called this a Broncos INT. Let that sink in. Unreal levels of rigged. The Bills should be in the AFC championship game (i’m a Dolphins fan).” NFL families have been in the spotlight lately, including Kylie Kelce’s candid comments about life after her husband’s retirement.
While NFL coaches’ decisions continue to spark debate, Mike Tomlin’s wife recently addressed rumors following his team’s playoff exit. However, many people think the officials made the right call. They argue the ball was clearly bobbled when Cooks hit the ground, so it wasn’t a completed catch.
The Broncos won and are moving to the next round. However, they will play without starting quarterback Bo Nix. Nix broke a bone in his ankle during one of the final plays, an injury that needs season-ending surgery. Jarrett Stidham, who hasn’t thrown an NFL pass since 2023, will start instead.
Published: Jan 18, 2026 11:00 am