Bills get royally screwed on horrible call against Colts

Referees royally screwed the Buffalo Bills on a horrendous fumble call.

Bad officiating is a storyline in the NFL playoffs on a regular basis and the Buffalo Bills are the latest victims. On a fourth down play in the final minute, Philip Rivers completed a pass to Zack Pascal, who converted the first down and got up to try and gain more yardage.

Pascal was clearly stripped on the play, but the call on the field was ruled as down by contact. Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott smartly called a timeout to give the officials more time to review the call, but it was allowed to stand after a lengthy replay review.

Ultimately, it didn’t impact the game. Buffalo won its first playoff game since 1995, beating the Colts 27-24. This was due in large part to the excellent play of Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who competed 26-of-35 passes for 324 yards with two touchdowns and on interceptions. Allen also led Buffalo in rushing with 54 yards and a score on 11 carries.

The Bills now advance to the AFC Divisional round for the first time since ’95, where they will host either the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens or Tennessee Titans. Buffalo lost to the Titans in Week 5 this year, but also beat the Steelers in December at home. Baltimore and the Bills haven’t played in 2020.

For Buffalo, had this call ruined the game for the Bills, there would have been nightmares for years. Instead, Bills Mafia can celebrate their first time advancing in the playoffs in a quarter century.