The Buffalo Bills' postseason heartbreak continued Saturday in a 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos - a game that will sting for a long time in Western New York. It wasn’t just the final score that left fans frustrated, but how the game unfolded, with a string of controversial calls tilting the momentum squarely in Denver’s favor.
Let’s start with the overtime sequence that had Bills fans fuming. Josh Allen appeared to have connected with Brandin Cooks on a crucial throw down to the Broncos' 20-yard line.
Cooks had the ball, knee down, seemingly securing possession. But instead of a first down and a golden opportunity to win the game, officials ruled it an interception after Denver’s Ja’Quan McMillan came away with the ball.
The ruling stood, and Buffalo’s offense never saw the field again.
The frustration didn’t stop there. Two pass interference penalties - both highly debatable - gifted the Broncos over 50 yards on the ensuing drive.
That was more than enough to set up an easy game-winning field goal and send the Bills home stunned. It was the kind of ending that fuels offseason what-ifs and keeps coaches and players up at night.
Speaking of coaches, Saturday’s loss may have marked the end of the line for one of Buffalo’s most respected staffers. Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is expected to retire following the game, according to reports. If that’s the case, he walks away after a long and accomplished coaching career.
Kromer’s journey with the Bills has come full circle. He first joined the team in 2015 and spent two seasons in Buffalo before heading west to join the Los Angeles Rams.
There, he played a key role in shaping one of the league’s most effective offensive fronts, serving not only as offensive line coach but also as the run game coordinator. He returned to Buffalo in 2022, bringing experience and a steady hand to a unit that’s been critical to the team’s recent success.
While Saturday’s loss will be remembered for its drama and controversy, it also signals a moment of transition for a Bills team that’s been knocking on the door of a Super Bowl for several seasons now. With Kromer likely stepping away and another postseason exit in the books, the offseason questions are already piling up in Buffalo.