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Buffalo Bills fans — and head coach Sean McDermott — aren’t thrilled with Saturday night’s officiating, but head referee Carl Cheffers stood his ground.
In overtime, the Denver Broncos benefited from a controversial interception and two defensive pass interferences that helped them earn a 33-30 victory to advance to the AFC title game.
On their first and only overtime possession, Josh Allen threw a deep pass to Brandin Cooks. At first it looked like a simultaneous possession, which would have led to the Bills keeping the ball. But as Cooks fell to the ground with the pigskin, the ball rolled into a position where Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian was able to snatch it for an interception while Cooks was lying on his back.
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Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’quan McMillian intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks during overtime of an AFC divisional playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
Instant replay review showed Cooks on the ground with possession of the ball, which usually ended the play and awarded the Bills the completion. But enough of the ball was already in McMillian’s arms by the time Cooks hit the ground that officials didn’t overturn the call after reviewing it.
“The receiver has to complete the catching process. He was going to the ground as part of the catching process, and he lost possession of the ball when he hit the ground. The defender took possession at that point. The defender was the one who completed the catching process, so the defender received the ball,” Cheffers said in the NFL postgame report.
Ja’quan McMillian of the Denver Broncos intercepts a pass intended for Brandin Cooks of the Buffalo Bills during overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026. (Matthieu Stockman/Getty Images)
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Asked if the ball hit the ground, Cheffers said: “No. It was confirmed during the replay process. The interception was confirmed.”
Cheffers was then asked about the two pass interferences that helped the Broncos get into shooting range.
“The first one (second-and-10 at the Broncos’ 47-yard line) was an arm grab. The defender held the receiver’s right arm down, which prevented him from going up for the two-handed pass. He was trying to grab the ball with one arm. And so, that restriction of his right arm was why pass interference was called,” Cheffers said.
“The second was an early contact and arm grab that severely restricted the receiver.”
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White is called for pass interference on Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. during overtime of the playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
However, one could argue that with less than 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Broncos got away with defensive pass interference in the end zone. A flag would have put the Bills on the 1-yard line, but they instead had to settle for a field goal to force overtime.
The New England Patriots and Houston Texans face off on Sunday, with the winner heading to Denver with a trip to Super Bowl LX on the line.
