BroBible
For the first time in a decade, the Denver Broncos are heading to the AFC Championship Game after a 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round.
But the victory didn’t come without controversy.
The two teams entered overtime tied at 30-30. After the Broncos won the coin toss and elected to receive, they were forced to punt the ball away to the Bills without putting up any points.
That allowed Bills quarterback Josh Allen a chance to go down and win the game. However, facing a 3rd-and-10 from his own 37-yard line, Allen dropped back to pass and was intercepted by Broncos corner Ja’Quan McMillan.
Though this was far from your run-of-the-mill interception.
While watching the game live, it appeared that Bills’ wide receiver Brandin Cooks jumped up and caught the ball. However, Cooks and McMillan then rolled to the ground, and it was the Denver player who came up holding the ball.
The Buffalo Bills get robbed
Called a completion an interception pic.twitter.com/wID6ofJs8G
— Chicken King MMA (@ChickenKingMMA) January 18, 2026
The referees ruled the play an interception for the Broncos. Though the play went to review, the replays were inconclusive, and the refs deemed that neither Cooks nor McMillan fully controlled the ball on the ground, and because it did not hit the ground at any point, it was McMillan who ultimately came out with possession, thus the interception.
However, other angles of the play seem to show Cooks lying on the ground with the ball cradled, while McMillan has only a hand touching the ball.
This was ruled an interception. pic.twitter.com/VAdn3FVZID
— Sneaky Joe (@SneakyJoeSports) January 18, 2026
But that wasn’t the only key call late in the game
After getting the ball back, the Broncos began to march down the field, needing only a field goal to win. On 2nd-and-10 from the Buffalo 47, Buffalo cornerback Taron Johnson got called for a 17-yard pass interference penalty against Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
A further look at the play appeared to show minimal contact and hand-fighting between the two.
They called this Pass Interference. The #NFL is laughable! #BUFvsDEN pic.twitter.com/cBh3ugyh2t
— Ken Ball (@KBall1971) January 18, 2026
Two players later, Bills corner Tre’Davious White got called for another pass interference penalty inside the 10-yard line, setting up Will Lutz for a chip shot field goal to win the game.
The ending was highly controversial and left a number of fans questioning the referees. But whether they like it or not, Denver is advancing to the AFC title game and will host either the New England Patriots or Houston Texans next Sunday.
The post Controversial Interception And Pass Interference Calls Mar End Of Broncos-Bills Playoff Game appeared first on BroBible.
