Bills-Broncos’ controversial call gets response from NFL rules analyst

NFL rules analyst Walt Anderson weighed in on the controversial interception that ruled in overtime of the Denver Broncos’ win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.

Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian took the ball away from Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks on a deep pass from Josh Allen. It appeared that Cooks had come down with the ball and that McMillian had taken it away after Cooks completed the catch. But NFL officials ruled that McMillian had intercepted the pass and caused the turnover.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist

Denver came down the field and scored the game-winning field goal to advance to the AFC Championship Game.

Appearing on NFL Network, Anderson explained that Cooks never had complete control of the ball when he hit the ground, and because the ball was still loose in his arms, McMillian was able to secure it for the interception.

He also addressed the question of why there was no proper explanation of the play. Head judge Carl Cheffers did not address the play to the audience or television audience. Anderson said the replay assistant and New York officials reviewed the play quickly and made the call.

“Replay has all these angles to look at and see, ‘was the on-field ruling wrong or was the on-field ruling correct?'” Anderson said. “If you can confirm that the on-field ruling is correct, they really want to move the game and they don’t want unnecessary stops.”

BILLS DOOMED BY BIZAR SUSPENSION IN PLAYOFF LOSS TO BRONCOS

Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian reacts after intercepting a pass during overtime of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Bills head coach Sean McDermott was angry with the process of how the call was confirmed. He wanted the officials to take a long look at the play, which is why he said he took a timeout after the interception.

“It would seem logical to me … that the manager would go and take a look at it, just to make sure everybody from here that’s in the stadium and there is on the same page. It’s too big a play, in my estimation, and a play that potentially decided the game to not even slow it down,” McDermott said.

“It’s hard for me to understand why it was ruled the way it was ruled. If it’s ruled that way, why wasn’t it slowed just to make sure we got this right? That would have made a lot of sense to me, to make sure we got this thing right. Because it’s a crucial play in the game. We have the ball at the 20, so I can just kick a field goal there.”

But he didn’t let it lie. In fact, according to the Buffalo News, the coach called the exit from the team plane and berated the referees even more.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott reacts during the second half of an NFL divisional round football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/RJ Sangosti)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP

“That play is not even close,” he told the paper. “It’s a catch all the way. I sat in my locker and I looked at it probably 20 times and nobody can convince me that that ball isn’t caught and in Buffalo’s possession.”