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DENVER, COLORADO – JANUARY 17: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks on from the ground after a play against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills had a tough weekend, not only seeing their team fall in overtime to the Denver Broncos on Saturday, but subsequently seeing arch-rivals and historical divisional ‘big brother’ the New England Patriots take apart the Houston Texans in a 28-16 win on Sunday.
The Patriots will now go on to face a Bo Nix-less Denver Broncos team, after head coach, Sean Payton revealed the second-year quarterback broke his ankle in the Divisional round game, ruling him out for the rest of the postseason, whilst Buffalo look to find a new head coach in the wake of Sean McDermott’s Monday morning firing.
However, perhaps the biggest gripe fans will have is not about the loss itself, or the head coaching-decision, but the double-standard in officiating across the different games in this past weekend’s games.
The Bills effectively lost the game on a controversial Ja’Quan McMillian interception of a Josh Allen throw in overtime, which saw Brandin Cooks haul in a long, downfield interception before McMillian ripped the ball away from the veteran wideout just after his knee hit the ground.
Bills Get Tough Decision On Overtime Catch
The ruling was justified as an interception on the basis that Cooks did not maintain possession through hitting the ground. However, an almost identical play occurred the following day in the fourth quarter of the final Divisional round matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears.
All-Pro wide receiver, Davante Adams caught a pass from Rams quarterback, Matthew Stafford over the middle in the red zone during the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 10-10. And having caught the pass and had his knee touch the ground – much like Cooks – the ball was stripped away by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson almost immediately.
Bills Fans Take To Social Media After Davante Adams Ruling
And suffice to say Buffalo Bills fans were very much unhappy with the lack of consistency between the two key decisions across the two matchups.
“This catch by Davante Adams was ruled complete in the Rams – Bears game… This SAME PLAY was ruled an interception in the Bills – Broncos game… These NFL Refs are so inconsistent…” One fan wrote on X.
“How is this davante Adams catch different than the Brandin cooks play . If anything the bears db had more possession than the broncos player yesterday”, another user posted on X after the game.
Even if the Cooks catch was ultimately ruled an interception, one fan argued that the most important thing is consistency between the two decisions.
“Whether you believe it’s a catch or not, one thing MUST be true: Davante Adams and Brandin Cooks both DROPPED the football. Davante Adams and Brandin Cooks both CAUGHT the football. It’s not one or the other. It was the same exact thing.” The user noted.
Although there were some points made by non-fan commentators in favor of both refereeing decisions, claiming that Adams had already caught the ball and was tackled, whilst Cooks was catching the ball as he went to the ground, this sentiment was not echoed by the fanbase.
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas
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