Buffalo Bills’ Super Bowl dreams die vs. Denver Broncos after controversial penalties from Carl Cheffers’ crew end overtime battle
Another postseason heartbreak for the Buffalo Bills after controversial penalties in overtime.
Another postseason and another excruciating loss for the Buffalo Bills.
The top-seeded Broncos will advance to the 2025-2026 AFC Championship Game with a 33-30 overtime victory over the Bills. While Buffalo didn’t do itself any favors, with two interceptions and three fumbles, the final minutes ultimately decided their fate.
The latest dose of heartbreak for Buffalo was served up on a silver platter by the NFL’s officiating crew for the AFC Divisional Round game, led by Carl Cheffers. It was a relatively clean game, with just eight total penalties called throughout and five called on Buffalo. Typically, that’s a strong indication that a crew is “letting the players play.” Two of the Bills’ five penalties occurred on Denver’s scoring drive that ultimately iced the game.
Back-to-back pass interference penalties from Carl Cheffers’ crew sink the Bills’ 2025 NFL season
With just over six minutes left in overtime, Broncos QB Bo Nix targeted WR Courtland Sutton on a sideline fade route. Bills CB Taron Johnson was in coverage, and while there was clear contact before the ball arrived, it felt more like a holding penalty would’ve been appropriate. Instead, it was a defensive pass interference penalty, which gave Denver 17 yards and a fresh set of downs. Even if that penalty hadn’t been called, it was a moot point because Joey Bosa was called for a Roughing the Passer penalty that was declined.
Two plays later, another pass interference penalty on Bills CB Tre’Davious White (followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty) put the Broncos in position for the game-winning field goal. White was in coverage against WR Marvin Mims, and the penalty resulted in a 30-yard gain for Denver.
What’s tough to swallow about that final penalty is that this level of contact was allowed at other points of the game for the Broncos but wasn’t called pass interference in the Bills’ favor.
What was a great game throughout didn’t end with some triumphant victory or great play from either team. It was the referees’ inconsistency that ended this one. It’s something that happens far too often in the NFL. The Bills Mafia and the fans throughout the league deserve better.
Buffalo Bills News
Buffalo Bills get hit with unfortunate news on DT Ed Oliver after improbable return to action vs. Broncos in AFC Divisional Round
Bills DT Ed Oliver’s improbable return to action for the AFC Divisional Round has been cut short by a knee injury.
