When all eyes are on a single NFL playoff game, officiating decisions attract outsized attention. Throw in the stress of overtime, and you’ve got the fierce debate that erupted at the end of the Denver Broncos‘ 33-30 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Saturday’s divisional round.
The outcome turned on three calls in overtime, one an unusual interception that ended a Bills possession and the other two pass interference calls on Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White that generated 47 penalty yards on the Broncos’ winning drive. The coincidence of the two pass interference flags was not lost on longtime observers of Broncos coach Sean Payton, who missed a chance to advance to Super Bowl LIII in 2019 — when he was the coach of the New Orleans Saints — in large part because of a missed pass interference foul in the NFC Championship Game.
Let’s take a closer look at each circumstance from Saturday night’s game.
Controversial pass interference Call Fuels Broncos Victory Over Bills
A disputed pass interference call against Buffalo bills cornerback Tre’Davious White in the fourth quarter of the January 11, 2026, AFC Wild Card game helped the Denver Broncos secure a 24-21 victory. The call, made with 2:34 remaining in the game, extended a Broncos drive that ultimately led to the game-winning field goal.
The play occurred on second-and-10 from the Broncos’ 47-yard line.Denver quarterback Bo Nix threw a 17-yard pass intended for Courtland Sutton, which fell incomplete while defended by White. Officials flagged White for pass interference.
Replays showed Broncos receiver Brandon Cooks initially contacted the ground before the ball was secured by teammate Montrell McMillan.According to NFL rules,cooks did not maintain possession. McMillan did, controlling the ball while inbounds as he tumbled over Cooks.
“It’s hard for me to understand why it was ruled the way it was ruled,” said Bills coach Sean McDermott following the game.
The pass interference penalty gave the Broncos a first down at the Bills’ 38-yard line. Denver subsequently drove downfield and kicked a 35-yard field goal with 19 seconds left to win the game.
The NFL rulebook defines pass interference as “any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage that significantly hinders an eligible receiver’s chance to make a catch.”
Full playoff bracket and schedule are available on ESPN.
