NFL fans got more than a preseason thriller out of Buffalo’s 28-27 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday night. They also got a broadcast mistake that had people ripping the camerawork almost as hard as the play itself.
The moment at the center of the backlash belonged to Damar Hamlin. The Bills safety stepped in front of a pass from Steelers quarterback Will Howard and came away with an interception, but viewers on NFL Network never actually saw the pick happen live. The camera stayed locked on Howard instead of tracking the ball, even as the announcer called it out.
“Intercepted! It’s Damar Hamlin with his second interception of the season!”
By the time the broadcast finally moved to the action, Hamlin was already racing past midfield. Fans were quick to call the production flat-out unacceptable, especially on a play that should have been a clean highlight for a player battling for his place on the roster. The NFL later posted a clip of the turnover on X, though even that replay barely captured the interception itself.
The reaction online came fast. One fan joked, “The interception was so bad they said we can’t show this murder.”
Another wrote, “Got the 3rd stringers working the camera as well huh?” A different viewer said, “There’s that old ‘you had one job’ that comes to mind with this for the cameraman,” while another added, “Cameraman not even paying attention”
For Hamlin, the botched shot took attention away from a meaningful night. He now has interceptions in each of his last two games as he tries to lock down a roster spot in Buffalo.
He’s also fighting for the third safety job behind Cole Bishop and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, with Geno Stone - signed this offseason to a one-year deal carrying more guaranteed money than Hamlin - also in the mix.
Hamlin’s comeback story remains one of the most compelling parts of this Bills roster battle. He returned to football after suffering cardiac arrest during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January 2023, and every strong outing matters as the team trims down.
Howard had his own stakes on the line. He finished 9 of 15 for 69 yards and two touchdowns, but the interception was a costly blemish in his fight with Drew Allar for a spot on the Steelers’ roster. Allar went 9 of 18 for 88 yards and did not throw a touchdown or an interception.
The score was close. The camera work, to plenty of viewers, was not.
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