Overview
- In Bills–Broncos overtime, officials upheld Ja'Quan McMillian’s interception of a Josh Allen pass intended for Brandin Cooks, with referee Carl Cheffers saying Cooks failed to complete the process of a catch.
- A day later in Bears–Rams, Davante Adams was ruled to have completed a catch and was down by contact before the ball was pried loose, a call announced on the field by Shawn Hochuli.
- NFL rules analyst Walt Anderson said replay in New York quickly confirmed the Buffalo ruling because Cooks never established full control, noting postseason overtime reviews are expedited when the on-field call can be confirmed.
- Former official Terry McAulay explained that Adams had possession long enough to complete the catch, distinguishing it from Cooks’ play where control was not established through the ground.
- Reaction has split public figures, with Terrell Owens calling for an investigation and Joe Burrow posting that both divisional-round calls were correct, as broader calls for clarity and transparency persist without a rule change announced.