Josh Allen's Blunders, Not Refs, Cost Bills Game: Sean McDermott Firing Analysis

Referee Call on Interception

• 💡 The referees made the correct call on the controversial interception involving Brandon Cooks and Jaquan McMillan, despite initial appearances.
• 📌 The rule of 'surviving the catch' means that if a player loses possession before hitting the ground or immediately after, it's an incompletion if the ball touches the ground, but an interception if the defender secures it before it hits the turf.
• ⚠️ The primary officiating error was not stopping the game to review the play under the hood, which would have allowed for a clearer determination and potentially an incomplete pass ruling.

Sean McDermott's Perspective

• 🎯 Sean McDermott's frustration stemmed from the lack of review for a pivotal play that could have led to a game-winning field goal.
• 🗣️ McDermott felt that decisions costing a coach their job should warrant more time and deliberation, rather than a rushed ruling.

Game Timing and Officiating Speed

• ⏱️ A potential reason for the rushed officiating was the need to stay on schedule with other games, specifically mentioning a delay in the Seahawks-49ers game.
• ⚡ This pressure to move quickly may have led officials to avoid a lengthy review, impacting the Bills' game.

Josh Allen's Performance and Blame

• 🏈 The officiating did not cost the Buffalo Bills the game; Josh Allen's performance was the primary reason for the loss.
• 📉 Allen committed four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles), including a critical fumble before halftime that gifted the Broncos three points.
• 😥 Allen himself acknowledged in the postgame press conference that he blew the game and let his teammates down, a sentiment contrasted with social media reactions.
• 📈 The article argues that focusing blame on officials distracts from Allen's significant unforced errors, which were a mountain of 'hot garbage' from a franchise quarterback.
• 🛠️ A new coach and an offseason of reflection are suggested as necessary for Allen to recover from this performance.