Gabe Davis nearly saved the Buffalo Bills amidst a rambunctious final two minutes of regulation that sent NFL fans into a frenzy.
First, it was Justin Jefferson’s improbable catch on fourth and 18 to put the Minnesota Vikings within striking distance. Then it was the Vikings failing to punch in the ball at the goal line trailing 27-23. And finally, it was Josh Allen coughing up the ball for a clutch Vikings recovery that gave Minnesota the lead 30-27 with just over 40 seconds to play.
But, of course, the game didn’t end there. Allen took the field at a chance for redemption and found Davis on a second and two from Buffalo’s 40 yard line for a 20-yard completion. Just a few plays later, the Bills would kick a field goal to send the game to overtime.
The @BuffaloBills are in FG range after this catch
📺: #MINvsBUF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/uRjde5F169 pic.twitter.com/97Bsd7MqxO— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022
What a catch! But… was it really? The Bills got to the line so quickly that officials didn’t review Davis’ catch before play resumed, but alternate angles started to put doubt in the minds of fans as the ball bobbled suspiciously in the wide receiver’s hands.
Officials didn't review this Gabe Davis catch 🧐pic.twitter.com/vYTnTAU3AO
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) November 13, 2022
While the Bills were able to force overtime off Davis’ controversial catch, the Vikings eventually pulled out the 33-30 win in the extra frame. Still, NFL fans weren’t exactly pleased with the series of events that allowed such a pivotal moment to go unreviewed.
How do you not review the Gabe Davis catch?
— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) November 13, 2022
This league is so incredibly dumb not to have reviewed that Gabe Davis catch. Not sure if would have changed this outcome but it could have.
— Rob Pizzola (@robpizzola) November 13, 2022
The way everything gets reviewed to most insane level it is absolutely baffling that Davis catch was not reviewed.
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) November 13, 2022
This is a difficult play to rule on in real-time. However, considering the importance of this play, failing to initiate a review is hard to accept.
The ball is on the ground and out of the control of the receiver. This is incomplete. pic.twitter.com/21ELjsofr4
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) November 13, 2022
And now they’re showing replays of Gabe Davis very clearly not controlling the catch. Either way we’re headed to OT
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) November 13, 2022
The refs should’ve instantly challenged that Gabe Davis catch. That’s an egregious mistake.
You IMMEDIATELY go to the booth on that one.
— Adam Lefkoe (@AdamLefkoe) November 13, 2022
It’s inexcusable for them to not review that Gabe Davis play.
— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) November 13, 2022
That was not a catch by Gabe Davis
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) November 13, 2022
Gabe Davis' catch was not reviewed 😳
It set up the game-tying FG. pic.twitter.com/29gXIFFmWM
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 13, 2022
Refs didn't review that Gabe Davis catch. Unreal.
— Reggie Wilson (@ReggieWilsonTV) November 13, 2022
The NFL to us when they play back that Gabe Davis “catch” pic.twitter.com/AdDeJgGpdG
— #RingerNFL (@ringernfl) November 13, 2022
By the way, that Gabe Davis catch was NOT a catch 🥴
— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) November 13, 2022
So why was the Gabe Davis catch/non-catch not reviewed @NFL?
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) November 13, 2022
