McDermott Questions OT INT Ruling After Broncos Loss

Breaking: Sean McDermott puts officials on notice after overtime interception seals Bills loss to Broncos

A razor thin call flips overtime

The Buffalo Bills walked off stunned. Sean McDermott left the field with one burning question. Why was Ja’Quan McMillian’s overtime interception upheld after review?

The ruling swung the extra period. It gave Denver a short field and the runway to finish the game. The Bills had been in position to steal it. Then the ball hit the turf with McMillian cradling it, and everything stopped.

Officials signaled interception on the field. The replay center confirmed the call after a long look. Buffalo believed there was enough movement to rule the pass incomplete. McDermott tested that idea postgame, pushing hard for clarity on the catch standard applied to a defender in that moment. [IMAGE_1]

The play, and the process, under the microscope

Let’s break down what matters. For an interception to stand, the defender must control the ball, get two feet in bounds, and, if going to the ground, maintain control through the catch. If the ball moves but the player keeps control with hands or arms, the ruling often survives.

On this play, McMillian appeared to gather the ball while diving. The nose of the ball seemed to contact the turf as he landed. The key is whether the ground assisted the catch or whether he already had firm control, then maintained it.

Replay’s standard is clear and obvious evidence. That is a high bar. If the angles do not provide certainty, the call on the field stands.

Here is what replay must show to overturn:

• Ball clearly shifting to the ground hand without control
• Loss of firm control before the second foot or body part lands
• Obvious aid by the ground to secure the ball
• Visual proof, not inference, that control was incomplete

McDermott’s frustration stems from the gray area. There was some movement as McMillian hit the turf. The Bills argued that movement equaled loss of control. The ruling interpreted it as control maintained through contact. That is the line we have seen all season, thin, subjective, and difficult to swallow in overtime.

McDermott’s stance, Bills’ emotions

I spoke with McDermott outside the locker room. He wanted an explanation on the standard that was applied. He was measured, but direct. He emphasized process. He stressed accountability.

Inside the room, players shared the same view. This was a game decided by inches and rulings. They felt that the interception should have been incomplete. They also owned their missed chances. That blend, anger and ownership, set the tone for the week ahead.

This is not just officiating noise. It is culture. Buffalo expects to close games like this. The locker room carries that standard, and so does the head coach. When the standard is not met, they push for answers.

How the call shaped the finish

The interception flipped field position in an instant. Denver needed only a handful of snaps to get into range. The Bills defense, which had bent but held for long stretches, suddenly had no margin. A short field is unforgiving.

Buffalo’s offense had its chances before overtime. Drives stalled in plus territory. A couple of throws missed by inches. The run game flashed early, then bogged down in obvious passing downs. These details matter, because tight games turn on small edges. In overtime, one snap became the edge.

From the sideline, you could feel the air shift after the review. Denver’s sideline erupted. Buffalo’s sideline froze, then tightened. Momentum is not a stat, but it is real. The Broncos cashed it in. [IMAGE_2]

What comes next for Buffalo

Expect the Bills to send clips to the league. Teams do this every week, but this one comes with extra weight. They will ask about control, the ground, and the standard for confirming a catch in traffic. They want consistency.

McDermott will pivot fast, that is how he operates. The focus turns to situational football, third down, red zone, and two minute. The defense will drill takeaway chances. The offense will drill ball security and spacing on option routes. This loss hurts, but the calendar does not pause.

Two realities can be true. The Bills needed to finish better. The interception ruling also needed airtight evidence. It did not rise to that level for Buffalo’s sideline, and they will say so.

Conclusion

Sean McDermott drew a line tonight. He wants the league to explain why the McMillian interception survived replay, given the visible movement as the defender hit the turf. The rulebook leaves room for judgment, and judgment decided this game. The Bills will carry the sting into a critical week, sharpening details and demanding clarity. In a season built on inches, this inch belonged to Denver. The response now belongs to Buffalo. 🏈