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Buffalo Bills Still Steaming Over Refs’ Calls, Fist Bumps

By Cory Buck

Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) receives a penalty in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) receives a penalty in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Bills safety Aaron Williams was one of several Bills players peeved by the referees’ performance in their 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos.

When Denver Broncos running back CJ Anderson bull-dozed into the end zone, the ensuing fist bump between referees set the social media world alight. Fans weren’t the only ones to take notice though. After a day in which the Buffalo Bills were called for 11 penalties, safety Aaron Williams took to Twitter to express his disbelief at what could have been.

“It definitely felt like it was about 16 on 11,” running back Anthony Dixon added, per ESPN.

Defensive back Nickell Robey, who was flagged for a phantom illegal contact penalty, also had some choice words for the refs in response to a red zone call that gave the Broncos life on an eventual touchdown drive.

Let’s clear this up right now: We don’t think the refs were in any kind of mindset to screw over the Buffalo Bills. We’ve watched enough NFL action to realize referees are simply in way over this head with this game. The entire penalty and review system needs an overhaul. Professional football is simply too fast and too violent to make split-second decisions on which the games hinge.

The Bills were victims of some weak calls, but so were plenty of other teams, even in Week 14 action. Buffalo didn’t lose because of the refs as much as they did because of three turnovers and a failure to stop critical runs.

That said, no one wants to see referees celebrating anything ever. That is not their job. If you want to fist bump, do it in your locker room or via text (Is there a fist bump emoji? Probably). Referees are by their very definition neutral observers, immune to emotion, charged with objectively applying the rules of the game. Any expression beyond that end is just asking for controversy.

No matter the cause, the Bills are now 7-6 and basically out of the playoff picture while the Broncos, combined with losses by the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers, likely sealed up the AFC West with their victory. That much came down to team performance, first and foremost.

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