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Denver vs Buffalo

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  • Jaxcat
    Senior Member
    • Jul 2025
    • 667

    #1

    Denver vs Buffalo

    Really a good game to watch. The ending, however...

    First, the long pass in OT for the Bills that was caught/not caught then stripped by Denver defender and the ref gives the ball to the Broncos. Too loud where I was watching to know what the announcer and analyst had to say but it looked to me, after several slo-mo replays, that both players caught the ball at the same time. The defender fell on the WR who was on the ground, the defender rolled over pulling the ball out of the receiver's grasp. I've always heard that a simultaneous reception goes to the receiver. If so, once the WR hit the ground, the ball should have been dead. Buffalo would then have had a 1st and 10 at around the Denver 15 in OT when a FG wins the game. It appeared to me that the WR and DB had the ball in control, i.e., possession when the WR hit the ground with the defender on top of him. I would love to know how that was ruled an INT.

    Second, on the ensuing drive, I believe Denver is 3rd and 10-ish and they throw an incomplete pass to Sutton. But, wait! Here comes the laundry for a very ticky-tack PI call. It was hard to see much of any contact by the DB but the ref threw the flag anyway - about a 15 yard penalty.

    Third, 3rd and long from Buffalo 42 or so, Nix throws a long rainbow that falls incomplete. The nearest official looking directly at the play does NOT throw a flag. The official looking through the backs of both players near the middle of the back line of the end zone runs in and throws the PI flag. 35+ yard penalty, giving the Broncos 1st and 10 on the Bills' 3-yard line. TBF, there was some contact but it certainly wasn't egregious nor was it obvious that any flag should have been thrown.

    When I officiated basketball (and, to a lesser extent, baseball), we were taught that you have to make the right call BUT, in tight situations, let the players decide the game rather than you decide it with a questionable call. Because all anyone will discuss later was how bad/good the call was instead of the game. In that situation, when your fellow official with a much better, straight on view, does NOT throw a flag, you hold onto yours rather than run in from 10+ yards away and behind the play to throw your flag.

    Just a really crappy ending to a very entertaining game. However, for Denver, karma has struck. Nix somehow fractured his ankle very late in the game and will not play the remainder of the playoffs. So, have to think that Lady Luck evened things up a bit with that. Too bad as Denver will host the AFCC Game but, without their starting QB, hard to envision them winning.
  • Catsrock
    Senior Member
    • Oct 2014
    • 5733

    #2
    Just a difference in point of view I suppose. As a Bronco fan since the mid 80’s I’m certainly biased. But on the “interception”—I think simultaneous reception may still go to the offensive player. I assumed it was ruled as it was because you have to control the ball cleanly through landing—even if no other player is involved. The Bills receiver didn’t do that because he didn’t have the opportunity to do so. The ball was taken from him and controlled by the defender. And the PI’s—regardless of what official called them—I think they were both correct on replay. The second one was an absolute tackle right before the ball arrived. BUT—I did think the Broncos may have gotten away with a PI themselves while the Bills were moving it. Not as obvious, but could have been called.

    BUT, I do NOT see Nix’s broken ankle as the Broncos getting what they had coming to them (karma). It think it is awful and destroys their chances of winning a Super Bowl—without them having done anything wrong.

    Just a little more explanation of the way I saw the “interception” —if both players went to the ground and they lay there fighting over it for a moment—couple seconds-then the ball clearly has been caught by someone (it didn’t hit the ground)—so it would go to the offensive player. But the receiver isn’t “down” with a reception the very instant his back hits the ground. The ball may have popped out and neither of them caught it at that point. For years the NFL has made receivers or defenders demonstrate full control of the ball through the landing. By the time THAT pass was clearly caught by someone it was in the defender’s possession. Again, I probably saw it the way I wanted to see it.
    Last edited by Catsrock; 6 days ago.

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    • Jaxcat
      Senior Member
      • Jul 2025
      • 667

      #3
      ^I get it. I wasn't rooting for either team so I don't think I have any/much bias on those plays. The catch/no-catch thing has been going on for a while in the NFL and it's a stupid rule, imo. When you're a ball carrier, the ground cannot cause a fumble. But, when you're a receiver, the ground can jar the ball loose and cause an incomplete pass. That seems awfully contradictory to me. From what I saw, I do believe the Bills WR caught (simultaneously with the DB) the ball and landed on the ground and THEN the ball was pulled from his grasp. I believe he had control of the ball, as did the DB, and the ground caused the bobble/strip by loosening his grip. But I truly believe he caught that ball and should have been ruled down on contact. There have been several catch/no-catch questionable rulings over the years and I believe this is another.

      The PI vs Sutton was a bad call, imo. Sutton was holding/pushing the DB to create space and the DB's arm contacted Sutton right as the ball got to them. It was the type of play that happens 15 times a game that the refs let go, imo (just like many offensive holding calls). There was a bit of contact, from both players, but I don't believe the DB's contact prevented Sutton from catching the ball. The throw was a bit off target and he had to lean back against his body to attempt a catch. That flag should have been held, imo. And, since it was on a 3rd down, the Broncos would've punted the ball back to the Bills and who knows what might have happened from there.

      The last penalty, as I originally stated, was probably the correct call, although in that situation it wasn't so blatantly obvious that the ref HAD to throw the flag, imo. However, the official who threw the flag was absolutely not the closest official to the play. The side judge within 5 yards of the play and looking directly at it did NOT throw a flag. The back judge from the end zone and behind both players did. I question how he felt he had a good enough view of the contact to even throw a flag. If the ref standing right there looking at the play had thrown it, I would have still some question about throwing a flag in that situation for somewhat minor excess contact but, since he was standing right there, I would've given him the benefit of the doubt.

      As for my karma comment - I like Nix and don't wish any injury on anyone. I just believe the Broncos were the recipients of an inordinate amount of 'lucky' calls at critical times that allowed them to win the game only to see their chances of a SB win go out the window when Nix suffered what looks like a freak accident sort of thing. It's got to be a crushing blow to the team and the fans. No doubt Bronco fans are feeling about as 'cheated' and downhearted as Bills fans were with the way the game ended. Again, I wasn't celebrating Nix or anyone's injury and it is a rotten piece of bad luck that he cannot finish a great season.

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      Denver vs Buffalo

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