Patriots Defender Takes Issue With Officiating After Bills Loss

Some notable officiating moments may steal the spotlight after the New England Patriots’ 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

New England appeared to stop Buffalo on third down during a fourth-quarter drive, but the referees flagged Carlton Davis III for defensive pass interference. The Bills used the fresh downs and 15 yards to score a game-winning touchdown with 6:48 remaining.

After the game, per CLNS Media, Davis took umbrage with the timing of the delayed call.

“You can how late the flag came out? If it’s a flag it’s, like, definitive. Throw the flag,” David said. “If it’s not a flag, in a close game like this, then let us play. You understand? So, just by seeing how late the flag came in, I think we all thinking the same thing.”

It wasn’t the game’s only costly pass interference call levied against New England. Marcus Jones got penalized after fighting for the ball with Bills receiver Khalil Shakir, who was credited with the fourth-down catch despite Jones walking away with the football.

Jones delivered a more diplomatic review of his play than Davis, per 98.5 The Sports Hub.

“I would say I was trying to get back in the face, and then I turned around and came down with the ball,” Jones said. “But the ref called a PI, so that’s what he called.”

New England got called for seven penalties that cost them 65 yards, and Buffalo got flagged twice for 15 yards. The Bills overcame a 21-0 deficit by scoring touchdowns on five straight drives in a comeback win that keeps the AFC East in play.