Playoff matches are always a tense atmosphere. One moment or play can break them wide open. This is why the refereeing needs to be on point for those encounters. Unfortunately, the Buffalo Bills got the short end of the stick in their Wild Card round matchup against the Denver Broncos.
With a chance to increase the lead from 10-7, Buffalo tried to cash it into the end zone. However, a play never materialized, and they had to settle for a Tyler Bass field goal that still furthered the lead for the Bills but didn’t leave them satisfied. It immediately led to quarterback Josh Allen showing off his frustration, prompting a rather peculiar sight on the field.
Josh Allen Gets Apology From Referees
Cornerback Pat Surtain II is a prime candidate for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award. He led the Broncos’ defense, which finished as the best defense in the league according to PFN’s Defense+ metric, as an elite corner.
But, in Denver’s matchup against Buffalo, Surtain caught a lucky break in the end zone. Going against Dalton Kincaid, the two were jockeying for position, jostling about. However, the corner took it a step too far, holding him down by the neck and stopping his momentum.
Josh Allen wanted a flag on Pat Surtain here 🔎
🎥: @OllieConnolly pic.twitter.com/K0OvpFtoyW
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 12, 2025
It looked like a clear case of pass interference, but no penalty was called, and the Bills had to bring on the special-teams unit for the fourth down.
Allen was furious, and rightfully so, pointing to Surtain for the obvious flag.
Going against the best defense in the league, revert advantage is critical, and Allen understood the significance of such a potentially game-changing missed call.
While it did nothing to change proceedings at the time, cameras caught a rather unbelievable scene on the sidelines.
Bill Vinovich and Josh Allen having a chat pic.twitter.com/2LFbSXo6ua
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 12, 2025
As Allen was sitting in the huddle, referee Bill Vinovich III came over to him. Putting his hand over his heart, it looked like he apologized to Allen and even gave him a pat on the head for good measure.
It was a rather uncharacteristic display from the usually stoic referee crew, especially for a veteran like Vinovich, who’s been in the league since 2001, barring a brief spell from ’06-’12.