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Brandin Cooks reflects on controversial Josh Allen OT interception: 'At the end of the day, it was a catch'

Danby: Daniel Hager01/22/26DanielHagerOn3

The Denver Broncos held off the Buffalo Bills 33-30 last Saturday night in the AFC Divisional Round, earning the right to host this weekend’s AFC Championship Game at home against the New England Patriots.

Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian was pivotal in the win, fighting off Buffalo wide receiver Brandin Cooks for an interception in overtime. It originally looked like Cooks came up with the catch, but McMillian held onto the 50/50 ball and rolled over with it, earning the interception.

For the first time since the controversial ruling, Cooks opened up about the play on Thursday morning’s edition of ‘Good Morning Football.’ The veteran remains confident that he indeed made the catch, which likely would have sent the Bills to the AFC Championship Game.

“At the end of the day, it was a catch,” Cooks said on Thursday. “Not just what it looked like, but what it felt like. You can see examples throughout the league all year and in previous years. Then you’re like, ‘Wait a minute, if that was a catch, then it’s a no-brainer that this was a catch.’ I think when you look back at it, the time that was spent on it to review it wasn’t enough.

“Given the magnitude of the game and the situation, it’s a little disappointing. At the same time, in that situation, knee hit, shoulder hit, back hit, whatever the case may be. My hands never left that ball. The other thing is the tie goes to the offense, but I really feel in my heart of hearts that I caught that ball. It doesn’t matter what I think or not because I’m sitting here not playing.”

Buffalo Bills parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott following loss

Following McMillian’s interception, Denver took over on its own 20-yard line and surpassed midfield on a 24-yard pass from Bo Nix to rookie running back RJ Harvey. The Broncos then drew two controversial pass interference calls on Buffalo, putting them at the Bills’ five-yard line. This set up a 23-yard Will Lutz chip-shot field goal, which cemented the postseason win.

The Denver Broncos will now head to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2015, when they knocked off the New England Patriots 20-18 and sent Hall of Famer Peyton Manning off in style with a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

Meanwhile, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills fell to 0-3 in overtime postseason games. Allen passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns, but threw two costly interceptions and lost two fumbles. The loss also resulted in the firing of head coach Sean McDermott, who had led the team since 2017.

“I did not fire a coach based on a bad officiating decision,” Bills owner Terry Pegula said on Wednesday. “I felt like we had hit the proverbial playoff wall. 13 seconds. Missed FGs. The catch.”

Following another devastation Playoff loss, it will certainly be a long offseason for Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills, and their new head coach.