Broncos-Bills referee defends controversial officiating at end of thrilling battle

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Buffalo Bills fans — and head coach Sean McDermott — are not thrilled with the officiating from Saturday night, but head referee Carl Cheffers stood his ground.

In overtime, the Denver Broncos were the beneficiaries of a controversial interception and two defensive pass interferences that helped them complete a 33-30 victory to advance to the AFC title game.

On their first and only overtime possession, Josh Allen threw a deep pass to Brandin Cooks. At first, it looked like simultaneous possession, which would have led to the Bills keeping the ball. But as Cooks went down to the ground with the pigskin, the ball rolled into a position where Broncos defensive back Ja'Quan McMillian was able to snatch it away for an interception as Cooks lay on his back.

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Denver Broncos cornerback Ja'quan McMillian intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks during overtime of an AFC Divisional playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

The instant replay review showed Cooks was down on the ground with possession of the ball, which typically would end the play and award the Bills a completion. But enough of the ball was already in McMillian's arms by the time Cooks hit the ground that officials did not reverse the call after looking it over.

"The receiver has to complete the process of a catch. He was going to the ground as part of the process of the catch, and he lost possession of the ball when he hit the ground. The defender gained possession of it at that point. The defender is the one that completed the process of the catch, so the defender