Questioning what is and what isn’t a catch in the NFL is nothing new. However, the latest controversial ruling determined the outcome of a critical, heavily bet and watched playoff game.
Key Takeaways
- Brandin Cooks appeared to haul in Josh Allen's pass in overtime Saturday, but officials ruled it an interception.
- Denver's interception was a significant factor in the outcome of a game that went the way of sportsbooks.
- The NFL’s response postgame supported the ruling on the field and by replay officials.
Saturday’s Bills-Broncos divisional-round game was an overtime thriller, but it left bettors, fans, former players, and the head coach of the losing team wondering what in the world happened on an overtime play that likely would’ve resulted in an entirely different outcome.
Tied at 30 in overtime and the Bills needing any score to win, Buffalo receiver Brandin Cooks appeared to haul in a Josh Allen pass at the Denver 20-yard line. However, as Cooks went to the ground, Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian wrested the ball away.
CATCH OR INT????
— Covers (@Covers) January 18, 2026
BUFFALO'S 5TH TURNOVER COMES IN OT 😱pic.twitter.com/9GADyucctm
Officials ruled the play an interception, taking away Buffalo’s chance to kick a game-winning field goal and giving the Broncos another possession. Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who was ultimately fired Monday, couldn’t challenge the play because it was in overtime, so he called a timeout to give replay officials time to take a longer look at the play to see if Cooks was down before McMillan took the ball.
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Call under fire
Video evidence appeared to support McDermott wanting an extra look at the play, but referees told McDermott that replay officials in New York had already confirmed the interception call without the need for a lengthy review, which happens more often than not in the NFL.
“From that point, it was a moot point,” McDermott said. “We were moving on. Had I not called a timeout, they were just moving on, it appeared.”
Denver then used its possession to move into field-goal range after one of several controversial pass interference calls throughout the game. The Broncos nailed a 23-yard kick to win 33-30 and advance to Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
It’s after midnight and I’ve seen this play 30 times. I’m still livid at how this went down and feel horrible for the Bills.
— marshall newhouse (@MNewhouse73) January 18, 2026
1) It’s a catch, tie goes to offense
2) If not, at WORST it’s an incomplete pass
3) It was ruled an int on the field, TAKE TIME AND REVIEW THE MFer! pic.twitter.com/C1phru2clx
Buffalo’s season came to an end, and the 1.5-point underdog, which was getting a slight majority of bets and handle at BetMGM before the game, left Bills bettors and backers feeling like the rug was pulled out from under them. The controversial outcome produced a “small win for the book,” Caesars head of football Joey Feazell said Monday.
“This is not about, ‘Hey, we lost.’ It’s not about that at all. You play the game, you play it fair and square,” McDermott said. “That was a pivotal play, that’s all I’m saying.”
Explanations, aftermath
The NFL’s official rules state that a catch is completed when the receiver:
(a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
(b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
(c) after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, clearly performs any act common to the game (e.g., extend the ball forward, take an additional step, tuck the ball away and turn up field, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.
I have never seen a contested catch like this ever be called anything but a catch. Even as a DB you know that if it’s even a Tie it will go to the WR. Can’t believe this decided the game. https://t.co/EfrzgvSdcj
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) January 18, 2026
Referee Carl Cheffers said in a pool reporter statement postgame that Cooks lost possession of the ball when he hit the ground as “part of the process of the catch.”
“The defender gained possession of it at that point,” Cheffers added. “The defender is the one that completed the process of the catch, so the defender was awarded the ball.”
The NFL’s officiating and rules analyst, Walt Anderson, supported the explanation Sunday morning, which drew the ire of fans.
“As the receiver’s going to the ground, as soon as he hits the ground, the ball is immediately loose," Anderson said on NFL Network. That would be an incomplete pass if it comes out and hits the ground. Here, the ball never hits the ground.”
NFL rules analyst Walt Anderson explains the controversial INT in last night's #Broncos win. pic.twitter.com/OAlgk9iVzE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2026
The issue, as many pointed out, is Cook seemed to hit the ground with possession before McMillian ripped it away.
Pretty crazy that this was called an INT 🤨 pic.twitter.com/6PRtg5CaY3
— Covers (@Covers) January 18, 2026
CBS' rules analyst, Gene Steratore, argued that slowing down the speed of the play “distorts what actually happened and makes it look like” Cooks had the ball.
“The interception is a wild play, with a lot going on,” Steratore said on X. “Seeing it full speed, I thought it was an interception and would’ve ruled it that way if I was on the field. My perspective on it is that Cooks lost the ball as soon as his body hit the ground. In my opinion, if there was no defender near him and he lost the ball when he hit the ground, the ruling would’ve been incomplete.”
A similar play happened in Sunday’s NFC divisional-round game between the Rams and Bears when a Davante Adams catch was ruled complete before the ball came loose, likely upsetting Bills fans and bettors even more.
Bills bettors have gotta be sick seeing this play being ruled a catch 🤮pic.twitter.com/iH8l7o34aa
— Covers (@Covers) January 19, 2026
