February 15, 2025
Controversial possession and pass interference calls at the Bills-Ravens further increase the pressure on NFL officials

Controversial possession and pass interference calls at the Bills-Ravens further increase the pressure on NFL officials

The Bills and Ravens each benefited from a questionable call on Sunday. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Both the Bills and Ravens benefited from questionable calls on Sunday. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

As usual, refereeing remains a problem in the NFL playoffs, with several games causing more than its fair share of controversy.

Sunday’s divisional round playoff game between the Ravens and Bills was no exception. Two calls in the first half sent fans and players from both teams into an uproar.

The first questionable decision came in the first quarter when the game ended in a 7-7 tie. Buffalo had the ball near midfield and Josh Allen found Curtis Samuel for an 8-yard gain on second-and-11. But officials called left tackle Dion Dawkins for a stop while blocking Ravens pass rusher David Ojabo.

The replay shows that Ojabo fell to the ground on the frozen Buffalo lawn and there is no evidence of stopping.

Unfortunately, the Bills received a 10-yard penalty and faced a second-and-21 at their own 43-yard line instead of a third-and-3 at the Baltimore 39. They struck two downs later after failing to score to get a first down. The game remained tied at 7:7.

Then, as the second quarter came to a close, the Bills benefited from another controversial decision. This time, Baltimore cornerback Tre’Davious White was charged with pass interference on a pass to Keon Coleman. But it was White who was knocked to the ground on this play.

White had man-to-man coverage as he traveled down the left sideline. The two were engaged in a scuffle when Allen’s pass landed and Coleman pushed White to the ground by his helmet. The pass fell incomplete.

Since both players had made contact, the officials could have deemed the play a no-call and moved on to the next pitch. Or they might have called Coleman’s push offensive pass interference. It’s hard to explain defensive pass interference there.

But defensive pass interference was called, and the Bills promptly got a first down and an 18-yard gain at the Baltimore 12-yard line. A no-call would have resulted in fourth-and-5 at the 30-yard stretch and a potential 47-yard field goal attempt by Tyler Bass in difficult conditions. Instead, the Bills scored a touchdown three plays later, extending their lead to 21-10.

If there’s any consolation, every team has benefited from a controversial call. However, the biggest advantage for both teams would be a better all-around offense.

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