The Buffalo Bills’ season came to a gut-wrenching end once again in the Divisional Round, this time at the hands of the Denver Broncos in an overtime thriller on Saturday. But it wasn’t just the loss that stung - it was how it happened. A controversial interception by Denver’s Ja’Quan McMillian off a pass intended for Brandin Cooks set up the Broncos’ game-winning drive, and Bills fans have been buzzing ever since.
At the heart of the controversy is whether Cooks completed the catch before the ball was ripped away. From the stands to social media, fans pointed to a still image they believed showed Cooks securing the ball as he hit the turf. But according to longtime NFL referee Walt Anderson, the play was clean - and the call on the field was the right one.
Anderson, a 23-year NFL officiating veteran, broke down the play on NFL Gameday, offering a detailed explanation of what the officials saw and why the interception stood. His key point? Cooks never fully completed the catch process as he went to the ground.
“As the receiver's going to the ground, as soon as he hits the ground, the ball is immediately loose,” Anderson said. “That would be an incomplete pass if it comes out and hits the ground. Here, the ball never hits the ground.”
That last part is critical. Because the ball never touched the turf and McMillian gained control before it could, the officials ruled it a live ball - and a valid interception.
Replay officials in New York and on-site reviewed multiple angles and confirmed the ruling. The call stood, and with it, so did the Broncos’ momentum.
Anderson: “The replay officials in New York and in the stadium were looking at the play, they looked at all the angles. … They’re confirming the call on the field was the ball was immediately loose when it hit the ground … and control was gained by the defender.” https://t.co/PmP0I0b1ep
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 18, 2026
For Buffalo, it’s a brutal “what if.” Had Cooks held on, the Bills would’ve been in prime position to kick a game-winning field goal.
Instead, the turnover flipped the field and the script. The Broncos capitalized, marching down for their own game-winner to punch their ticket to the AFC Championship.
It’s a moment that will linger in Buffalo - not just because of the result, but because of how close they were to advancing. In a postseason where margins are razor-thin, one incomplete catch - or one clean takeaway, depending on your perspective - made all the difference.