In the aftermath of the Bills’ controversial win over the Giants, the NBC broadcast crew did their best to make sense for the viewers what unfolded on the contest’s much-debated final play.
NBC’s Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth were joined by rules analyst and former NFL official Terry McAulay to break down a no-call on Bills cornerback Taron Johnson for defensive pass interference as he covered Giants tight end Darren Waller in the end zone.
McAulay, an official from 1998 to 2017, offered his honest take on the play after first explaining the officiating crew’s decision not to make the call based on Johnson’s contact with Waller’s jersey.
“It certainly wouldn’t be holding, the ball’s in flight,” McAulay said. “And had the ball not been in flight that jersey pull is an automatic foul, we understand that. Once the ball’s in flight, now it changes what that pull means. It has to significantly hinder the receiver, and one can argue it did.”
After listening to McAulay, Collinsworth then argued the non-call on the air, saying Waller was unable to make a fair play on the ball because Johnson began holding him “about two yards into the end zone”. In Collinsworth’s eyes, the continued contact left “no question” about their being an illegal interference, to which McAulay agreed.
“That’s perfectly reasonable, Cris,” he said. “In your opinion, that does significantly hinder the receiver. I think it does, as well. ”
Should the Bills have been called for holding on the last play (a pass in the end zone to Giants TE Darren Waller)?
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 16, 2023
NBC #SNF rules analyst Terry McAulay talks it over with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth. 🏈🦓📺🎙️ pic.twitter.com/gDq0cFH8tg
Despite the debates that will rage on after Sunday’s wild game, the Bills (4–2) and Giants (1–5) will continue navigating their respective seasons around the noise with Week 7 on the horizon.
