Brandin Cooks, Ja'Quan McMillian, Sean Payton, NFL Ref React to Controversial INT in Bills-Broncos

The Denver Broncos' dramatic 33-30 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills in Saturday's AFC Divisional Round matchup was not without controversy, as Ja'Quan McMillian's interception of Josh Allen in the extra period came on a close play that looked like a possible Brandin Cooks catch.

Yet it was ruled an interception, and the Broncos scored the game-winning field goal on the ensuing possession.

Cooks told reporters he believed it was a catch when he said, "I feel that way. But at the end of the day, you don't, you know, no matter, ultimately this is where we're sitting now."

He also said he can't leave it in the "officials' hands."

As for McMillian, he said, "I just fought through the hands and made the play," per The Athletic's Nick Kosmider. "He actually came down with it, but since I had my hands on the ball, I was able to take it from him. I just held the ball up and showed the fans some love."

Broncos head coach Sean Payton called it "an amazing play by J-Mac," but Bills head coach Sean McDermott had a different tune when he said, "It is hard for me to understand why it was ruled how it was ruled" and questioned why it wasn't reviewed more extensively.

▶️ Full Bills-Broncos Recap

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NFL referee Carl Cheffers explained the ruling in a pool report (h/t Kosmider) and said, "The receiver has to complete the process of a catch. He was going to the ground as part of the process of the catch and he lost possession of the ball when he hit the ground. The defender gained possession of it at that point. The defender is the one that completed the process of the catch, so the defender was awarded the ball."

It was one of two interceptions for Allen, who also lost two fumbles during the game. He said, "I felt like I let my teammates down," which led to an emotional Cooks defending him and calling him "the greatest quarterback in this league."

It was another painful postseason loss for Buffalo and the seventh year in a row it fell in the playoffs before reaching the Super Bowl. This year's path didn't have Patrick Mahomes in the way like so many previous ones, but the AFC East team still fell just short.

Saturday's win wasn't all good news for the Broncos, though, as quarterback Bo Nix suffered a fractured right ankle and will be out for the remainder of the playoffs. That means Jarrett Stidham will be tasked with leading the team's Super Bowl efforts.

At least Denver will be home against the New England Patriots or Houston Texans in the AFC Championship Game, but winning such a high-stakes contest with its backup quarterback will be a daunting task.

The Broncos may need their defense to force some turnovers in that one, just like the unit did against Allen on Saturday.

Even if one of those turnovers was quite controversial.