Bills' Tre'Davious White slams helmet after key pass interference call, channeling Buffalo fans' frustration in playoff loss
- - Bills' Tre'Davious White slams helmet after key pass interference call, channeling Buffalo fans' frustration in playoff loss
Ian Casselberry January 17, 2026 at 10:14 PM
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The Denver Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills in their AFC divisional round playoff game, 33-30, in overtime. But the penalty that led to Denver's game-winning field goal was controversial enough that Buffalo fans will be questioning it throughout the offseason.
After the Broncos took over following an interception by Ja'Quan McMillian, quarterback Bo Nix threw a pass to Marvin Mims Jr. down the left sideline. However, Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White was called for pass interference on the play, costing Buffalo 30 yards and giving Denver a first-and-goal at the 8-yard line.
DPI called on Tre'Davious White... that'll cost the #Bills the game: pic.twitter.com/53BzQqQ2fj
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) January 18, 2026
White appeared to collide with Mims before the ball reached him, in addition to pulling on the receiver's left arm. That's presumably what drew the flag.
However, the veteran defensive back vigorously disagreed with the call and slammed his helmet to the ground while arguing with a referee. That drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. With the ball already at the 8-yard line, the penalty moved Denver half the distance to the goal line to the 5-yard line.
Tre’Davious White slams his helmet next to the ref.Gets flagged for it, still frustrated about his PI call. pic.twitter.com/ExvHrgZGc9
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) January 18, 2026
A game-winning field goal from Wil Lutz was likely even before White's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. But getting three yards closer certainly didn't hurt his chances of sending the Broncos to the AFC championship game.
Nix followed with a kneeldown to put Lutz in the best position for the kick and the nine-year veteran easily kicked a 23-yard field goal, right through the middle of the uprights, for the Broncos' first playoff victory since 2015.
THE BRONCOS ARE GOING TO THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP pic.twitter.com/TENPA7js5p
— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026
The call on White was actually the second pass interference penalty in three plays during Denver's winning drive. Two plays earlier, Taron Johnson was flagged for interfering with Courtland Sutton on a 17-yard play on second-and-10 from the Broncos' 47-yard line.
"The first one was an arm grab," referee Carl Cheffers explained postgame to pool reporter Jeff Legwold. "The defender held the receiver's right arm down, which prevented him from going up for the pass with two hands."
Taron Johnson controversial PI Call.And Joey Bosa absolutely laying out Bo Nix after the throw, unbelievable.Flags everywhere 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/ntvRA0NbrW
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) January 18, 2026
"The second was early contact and an arm grab that materially restricted the receiver," Cheffers added.
Those two plays accounted for 47 yards worth of penalties in approximately one minute and 26 seconds.
Combine those plays with the Broncos gaining possession on a questionable interception in which it could be argued that Brandin Cooks either didn't have control of the ball or was down by contact when he and McMillian hit the ground, and Bills fans have three moments that will keep them hot with rage.
They'll likely be angry through the night, if not for the next seven to eight months while a team besides theirs has an opportunity to win the Super Bowl yet again.
Source: “AOL Sports”
