Denver Broncos fans were not pleased with the officiating during Sunday’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
Broncos returner Marvin Mims was surprisingly penalized for pushing a player who stood over him after a play, and Ty Johnson’s touchdown catch was disputed by fans. NFL referee Bill Vinovich also went to the sideline during a break and he appeared to apologize to Bills quarterback Josh Allen for a missed call.
Those incidents were not well-received by fans in Denver, and safety Brandon Jones’ unnecessary roughness penalty also seemed harsh.
Buffalo was leading 13-7 when Allen threw a pass to running back Ray Davis in the third quarter. Just after Davis failed to catch the ball, he was hit hard by Jones. Here’s the play:
Defender actually does about as much as he can to prevent the helmet-to-helmet hit. pic.twitter.com/l6akhLCWpo
— Matt Schick (@ESPN_Schick) January 12, 2025
Jones appeared to attempt turn his body to avoid a head-to-head collision, but he still received a 15-yard penalty. It appeared that Jones intended for a shoulder-to-shoulder hit, but his helmet did make contact with Davis’ helmet.
Fans did not appreciate the penalty.
Yeah feels like this is exactly what the NFL wants Jones to do here?? Smh oh well I guess https://t.co/HR9WmsG4FP
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) January 13, 2025
“Legitimate question. What should Brandon Jones had done differently?” one fan asked on Twitter/X.
So we are throwing flags if someone gets hurt because Brandon Jones hits him clean with his shoulder
I can almost guarantee you that if the RB just got up and ran back to the sideline, they wouldn’t have thrown it
But since he stayed down and is hurt, it’s a flag
Unreal
— Jordan Lopez (@JordanTLopez) January 12, 2025
Another fan chimed in: “Basically the only way Jones doesn’t get a penalty here is going at the receiver straight up with his arms stretched out and tackling him with his chest. And even then I’m not 100% sure they don’t call a defenseless receiver penalty. Basically you have to avoid hitting him smh.”
What is Brandon Jones supposed to do there?
It’s a shoulder to shoulder hit.
Is he supposed to let Davis catch the ball? Maybe if Allen doesn’t throw a hospital pass, Davis isn’t in that scenario.
Jones didn’t lead with his head. He has a right to make a play.
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) January 12, 2025
Some fans suggested that it was a makeup call after Vinovich had previously apologized to Allen. Other fans noted that Allen shouldn’t have put Davis in that situation with that throw.
Davis left the game with an injury but was said to be OK afterward.
Instead of facing 3rd-and-13 at their own 38-yard line following an incompletion, the Bills were given a first down at Denver’s 47-yard after the penalty. Buffalo went on to score a touchdown on that drive and eventually won 31-7.
