Referee Carl Cheffers did not mince words when explaining the play that effectively ended the Buffalo Bills’ season and sent the Denver Broncos to the AFC Championship.
Speaking to pool reporter Jeff Legwold after Denver’s 33-30 overtime victory, Cheffers broke down why a pivotal throw from Josh Allen to Brandin Cooks resulted in a game-sealing interception by Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian.
“The receiver has to complete the process of a catch,” Cheffers explained. “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 is the one that completed the process of the catch, so the defender was awarded the ball,” Cheffers explained.
The anatomy of the controversy at the Bills-Broncos
The play occurred during a high-tension overtime period. Allen targeted Cooks, who appeared to secure the ball before hitting the turf. However, as Cooks made contact with the ground, the ball shifted, allowing McMillian to snatch it away.
While the ruling was reportedly confirmed via the league’s expedited review process-a detail missing from the official game book but suggested by the lack of a formal stoppage-the decision has ignited a firestorm regarding NFL officiating consistency.
A clash of precedents: The Rodgers factor
The primary frustration for the Bills and many analysts, including Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, stems from a perceived lack of uniformity in how “surviving the ground” is interpreted.
Critics point to a Week 14 matchup between the Steelers and Ravens, where a similar play involving Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers was ruled in favor of the offense.
In that instance, the NFL’s V.P. of instant replay, Mark Butterworth, stated that because Rodgers had control as his knees hit the ground, he was “down by contact,” even if the ball moved afterward. Analysts argue that if Rodgers’ play was down by contact, Cooks should have been afforded the same protection.
The final verdict that left the Bills out of the playoffs
Not everyone agrees with the Bills’ outcry. A segment of observers points out that, unlike the Rodgers play, Cooks never seemed to have total control before the hit jarred the ball loose, making McMillian’s recovery a legitimate interception.
Regardless of the debate, the outcome remains final. The ruling directly paved the way for Denver’s game-winning drive, ending Josh Allen’s Super Bowl hopes and keeping the Broncos’ Cinderella run alive.
As Denver prepares for the AFC Championship, the league once again finds itself defending two vastly different outcomes for nearly identical plays.
