Ja’Quan McMillian’s overtime interception of Josh Allen in Denver wasn’t just a game-changer - it might go down as the most debated play of the 2025 season. The call on the field?
Interception. The reaction?
A firestorm. And while fans and analysts continue to dissect the slow-motion replays from every angle, what’s clear is this: the play stood, the Broncos advanced, and the Bills’ season came to a screeching halt.
Let’s set the scene. It’s overtime, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Allen drops back, looking for a window. McMillian reads it, breaks on the ball, and comes up with what was ruled an interception.
But the moment that ball hit the turf - or didn’t, depending on your perspective - the football world split into two camps. On one side, former players, coaches, and current pros calling it a clean pick.
On the other, a chorus of fans and pundits insisting it should’ve been ruled incomplete.
What’s not up for debate is the fallout. That one play didn’t just end a drive - it ended a season.
Hours after the loss, the Bills parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott, a decision that might’ve been brewing but was certainly accelerated by the gut-punch ending in Denver. Meanwhile, the Broncos are riding that momentum all the way to the AFC Championship Game, with Jarrett Stidham at the helm and the Mile High crowd ready to roar.
As the discourse around officiating continues to swirl, one major voice entered the chat - and it wasn’t just any voice. Joe Burrow, one of the league’s most respected quarterbacks and a guy who’s been on the biggest stages, didn’t mince words. In a rare post on social media, Burrow made it clear: the officials got it right.
“The amount of ppl that don’t understand what a catch is in the rule book flabbergasts me. And it’s not the officials.
The two plays yesterday were not difficult calls, and they got them both right.”
@JoeyB, January 19, 2026
Burrow wasn’t just weighing in on McMillian’s interception - he also referenced Davante Adams’ catch in the Rams’ win over the Bears. Two bang-bang plays, two different outcomes, and in Burrow’s view, two correct calls.
His message? The rulebook isn’t the problem.
The understanding of it is.
It’s a rare and telling moment when a player of Burrow’s stature publicly backs the officiating crew, especially in a league where “What is a catch?” has become a meme-worthy question.
But in this case, he’s not alone. There’s a growing consensus among current and former players that McMillian made a clean play - and that the refs nailed the call.
The ripple effects are undeniable. The Broncos are one win away from the Super Bowl, and they’ve done it with grit, defense, and timely plays like McMillian’s.
On the flip side, the Bills are staring down an offseason of uncertainty. With top coaching candidates already off the board, they’re playing catch-up in a crucial hiring cycle - and doing it with the sting of that loss still fresh.
So yes, the debate will rage on. Fans will argue over freeze frames and frame rates, and highlight reels will feature McMillian’s grab for years to come. But when the dust settles, here’s what we know: the ball was ruled an interception, the Broncos are still dancing, and one of the league’s brightest stars just gave the call his stamp of approval.
McMillian caught the ball. Brandin Cooks didn’t. And the AFC picture changed in an instant.