We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the National Football League and the Office of the Commissioner to formally review and address a critical officiating ruling that occurred during the 2025 NFL Divisional Round playoff game between the Denver Broncos and the Buffalo Bills, which materially affected the outcome of the game.

With 7:49 remaining in overtime and the score tied 30–30, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks caught and clearly controlled the football with both knees contacting the ground while turning onto his back. During this same motion, Ja’Quan McMillian of the Denver Broncos made contact with Cooks, rendering him down by contact under NFL rules. Only after this sequence, while Cooks was already down, did the ball become dislodged, after which it was ruled an interception.

Despite video evidence showing that:

Cooks established control of the football,
Both knees contacted the ground,
He was touched by a defender during the process,
And he completed the act of the catch before any loss of possession,
the ruling on the field was upheld as an interception.

This decision had a direct and decisive impact on the outcome of the game. At the time of the play, the Buffalo Bills were well within field goal range, and absent the interception ruling, would have had a legitimate opportunity to attempt a game-winning field goal. Instead, possession was awarded to Denver, fundamentally altering the result of a postseason game.

Under NFL Rule 17, Section 2, Article 1, the Commissioner is granted broad authority to investigate and take corrective action in cases involving extraordinarily unfair acts or calamities that have a major effect on the result of a game. While this authority is rarely exercised, it exists specifically to preserve the integrity of competition in circumstances that fall outside normal officiating error.

This petition does not seek to undermine the officials, but rather to uphold the league’s stated commitment to fairness, accuracy, and competitive integrity, especially in the postseason, where the margin for error is minimal and the consequences are permanent.

We respectfully request that the NFL:

Conduct a formal review of the ruling under Rule 17 authority,
Publicly acknowledge whether the ruling was incorrect under league rules,
Clarify how similar situations will be handled going forward to prevent recurrence.

Consider appropriate corrective or disciplinary measures consistent with Rule 17 if warranted.

The credibility of the NFL depends on the confidence of its fans, players, and teams that games are decided by the rules as written and enforced consistently. When a single ruling alters the course of a playoff game, transparency and accountability are essential.

By signing this petition, we call on the NFL to exercise its authority, protect the integrity of the game, and ensure that postseason outcomes are determined by fair and correct application of the rules, not by an unaddressed officiating error.