Bills’ Sean McDermott rips officials for controversial interception

The Buffalo Payments’ season as soon as once more led to heartbreak, largely because of a controversial additional time efficiency.

You would argue that the Denver Broncos received away with defensive move interference ultimately zone late within the fourth quarter, however the Payments had been nonetheless in a position to pressure additional time.

That is the place all of it unraveled for Buffalo, although, as Josh Allen threw an interception whereas looking for Brandin Cooks deep.

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Ja’quan McMillian of the Broncos intercepts a move meant for Brandin Cooks of the Buffalo Payments throughout additional time within the AFC Divisional playoff recreation at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive on Jan. 17, 2026, in Denver. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Pictures)

At first it regarded like simultaneous possession, which might have resulted within the Payments holding the ball. However when Cooks went to the bottom with the pigskin, the ball rolled right into a place the place Broncos defenseman Ja’Quan McMillian was in a position to snatch it away for an interception whereas Cooks was on his again.

The moment replay overview confirmed Cooks on the bottom with possession of the ball, which might sometimes finish the play and award the Payments a completion. However by the point Cooks hit the bottom, the ball was already in McMillian’s arms, so the officers did not overturn the decision after it.

Payments head coach Sean McDermott needed the officers to take a protracted take a look at the play, so he known as a timeout to take action – groups can’t problem in additional time.

“It appears logical to me … that the top official would need to stroll over and take a look at it, simply to guarantee that everybody, from right here within the stadium to there, is on the identical web page. That is too massive of an motion for my part, and one which will have additionally determined the sport, to not even sluggish it down,” McDermott instructed reporters after the 33-30 loss.

Broncos cornerback Ja’quan McMillian intercepts a move meant for Buffalo Payments huge receiver Brandin Cooks in the course of the AFC Divisional playoff recreation at Empower Discipline at Mile Excessive. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Pictures)

BILLS DOOMED BY BIZARRE INTERCEPTION IN PLAYOFF LOSS TO BRONCOS

“It is arduous for me to know why it was dominated that manner. If it is dominated that manner, why wasn’t it slowed down to ensure we received this proper? That might have made a variety of sense to me, to ensure we received this proper. As a result of that is a vital play within the recreation. We received the ball on the 20, possibly by scoring a area aim there. So I will simply depart it at that.”

However he did not cease there. In actuality, according to Buffalo Newsthe coach shouted from the group aircraft’s outlet, berating the referees much more.

“That play is not even shut,” he instructed the outlet. “That is completely a catch. I sat in my locker and checked out it most likely 20 instances, and nobody can persuade me that ball wasn’t caught and in Buffalo’s possession.”

The officers had been of no assist later, calling a questionable defensive move interference on a critically underthrown ball, placing the Broncos inside chip shot vary.

The interception was the fourth dedicated by Allen, so there are extra blames to be made, however nobody can blame the Payments followers for not sleeping effectively on Saturday evening.

Ja’quan McMillian of the Broncos celebrates after intercepting a move meant for Brandin Cooks of the Buffalo Payments throughout additional time at Empower Discipline At Mile Excessive on Jan. 17, 2026 in Denver. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Pictures)

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Now will probably be the top-seeded Broncos ready for the winner of Sunday’s recreation between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans.