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Buffalo Bills fans – and Head Coach Sean McDermott – weren’t happy with the officiating from Saturday night, but head referee Carl Cheffers stood his ground.
In overtime, the Denver Broncos benefited from a controversial interception and two defensive pass interceptions to help them complete a 33-30 victory to advance to the AFC title game.
On their first and only possession of overtime, Josh Allen threw a deep pass to Bradin Cooks. At first, it looked like a one-time possession, which would have resulted in the Bills keeping the ball. But as Cooks went down with the pigskin, the ball rolled into the area where Broncos linebacker Ja’Quan McMillian was able to scoop it up to stop Cooks lying on his back.
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Denver Broncos linebacker Ja’quan McMillian intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks during overtime of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High. (Photos by Ron Chenoy/Imagn)
A quick replay review showed Cooks on the ground with the ball, which would have ended the game and awarded the Bills. But the ball was already in McMillian’s hands when Cooks hit the ground with his foot that the officials reversed the call after taking a closer look.
“The receiver has to complete the catch. He was going down as part of the catch, and he lost control of the ball when he hit the ground. The linebacker got it at that point. The linebacker is the one who completed the catch, so the linebacker was given the ball,” Cheffers said in the NFL’s post-game pool report.
Ja’quan McMillian of the Denver Broncos intercepts a pass intended for Brandin Cooks of the Buffalo Bills in overtime in an AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field At Mile High on Jan. 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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When asked if the ball hit the ground, Cheffers replied, “No. That was confirmed in the replay system. The interception was confirmed.”
Cooks was then asked about the two pass interceptions that helped the Broncos get on the chip-shot list.
“The first (second and 10 from the Broncos’ 47-yard line) was an arm grab. The defender held the receiver’s right arm down, preventing him from going up for a two-handed pass. He was trying to catch the ball with one arm. So, that blocking of his right arm was why the pass interference was called,” Cheffers said.
“The second was an early contact and an arm grab that blocked the receiver.”
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tre’davious White was called for interfering with Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. in overtime of an AFC divisional playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High. (Photos by Ron Chenoy/Imagn)
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One could argue, however, that less than 30 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Broncos escaped with pass interference by the defense in the end zone. The flag would have put the Bills at the 1-yard line, but instead they had to settle for a field goal to force overtime.
The New England Patriots and Houston Texans will face off on Sunday, with the winner heading to Denver with a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line.
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