Bills-Broncos’ disputed decision receives reaction from NFL rules expert

Controversial Interception Decision in Broncos vs. Bills Game

NFL rules analyst Walt Anderson recently discussed the contentious interception call that marked overtime in the Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills game on Saturday night.

During the play, Broncos defensive back Jaquan McMillian appeared to take the ball away from Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who initially caught a deep pass from quarterback Josh Allen. After Cooks gained possession, McMillian seemingly wrested the ball away, leading the officials to rule it an interception, resulting in a turnover.

Following the turnover, the Broncos advanced down the field and secured a game-winning field goal, propelling them to the AFC Championship Game.

Anderson explained on NFL Network that while Cooks didn’t have complete control of the ball when it hit the ground, it was considered loose enough for McMillian to claim it for an interception.

He also addressed why there was a lack of clarification regarding the ruling. Referee Karl Chaffers didn’t provide an explanation to fans or viewers. According to Anderson, replay officials quickly reviewed the incident and communicated about it.

“Replay has all the angles to determine whether the call on the field was correct. If they confirm the decision, they prefer to keep the game moving, avoiding unnecessary interruptions,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Bills head coach Sean McDermott expressed his anger over how the decision was handled. He mentioned taking a timeout after the interception to urge officials for a closer examination of the play.

“It seems reasonable that the head official would want to make sure everyone in the stadium was on the same page. It was such a crucial play, one that could have altered the game’s outcome,” McDermott stated, adding that he found it difficult to understand the ruling. He emphasized that the decision should have prompted a more careful review since it could have led to a potential game-winning opportunity for his team.

However, he didn’t stop there. Reports indicate that McDermott reached out to a media outlet from the team plane, where he continued to criticize the officials.