Sean McDermott blasts unreviewed call in Bills' playoff loss to Broncos

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott speaks with an NFL referee

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Matthew Couden

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said he was "standing up for Buffalo" after seeing what occurred with the officiating in his team's crushing NFL Playoffs loss against the Denver Broncos.

McDermott called attention to a "pivotal" call from his team's AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Broncos, which went to overtime at Mile High Stadium and featured several crucial penalties and rulings.

While referees make questionable calls during games, there are often reviews to determine what happened through instant replay and other means.

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However, that didn't occur in an overtime situation, when Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks seemed to make a fantastic catch, only for it to end up in the hands of Denver's Ja'quan McMillian, with the refs ruling it an interception without further review.

Broncos defender Ja'quan McMillian and Buffalo Bills receiver Brandin Cooks during their AFC Divisional Round game

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"It's hard for me to understand- now that I've had a chance ot look at it, it's hard for me to understand why it was ruled the way it was ruled," McDermott said at his postgame press conference.

“If it is ruled that way, then why wasn’t it slowed down, just to make sure that we have this right?” he said, questioning the officiating.

“That would have made a lot of sense to me, to make sure that we have this thing right because that’s a pivotal play in the game,” he told reporters, suggesting they would've been in range to kick a field goal and win.

"I'll just leave it at that," he said, before raising his voice to add more.

"But I'm saying it because I'm standing up for Buffalo, damn it. I'm standing up for us. What went on is now how it should go down," McDermott said.

“These guys spent three hours out there, playing football, playing their guts out. To not even say, ‘Hey, let’s just slow this thing down.’ That’s why I’m bothered,” he said.

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The call will likely go down as controversial for McDermott and many others, yet another disappointing loss for the Bills. However, the referees addressed the ruling in their remarks after the game, and many seemed to agree they got it right.

Meanwhile, the overtime loss marked another stinging and disappointing playoff exit for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Sean McDermott has compiled a 98-50 record in nine seasons with the Bills, including eight playoff appearances.

Despite an 8-8 record in the NFL Playoffs, the Bills have yet to reach the Super Bowl under McDermott with Allen, suggesting that, despite officiating and questionable calls, the team might make some offseason changes.