Josh Allen got the win and a warning from referee Bill Vinovich on Sunday in Buffalo’s wild-card win over the Denver Broncos.
With the Bills leading early in the third quarter, Buffalo ran a passing play on third-and-goal while holding a 10-7 lead. Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II grabbed Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid and spun him in the back of the end zone.
Allen couldn’t find an open receiver and ultimately took a sack on the play. He immediately stood up and protested Surtain’s non-call in the end zone.
A correct holding call would have given the Bills first and goal inside the Denver 5-yard line. Instead, the Bills settled for a field goal to extend their lead to 13-7.
After the play, official Bill Vinovich walked to the Bills sideline to chat with Allen while Allen sat on the bench. It was initially unclear what Vinovich had said, but he patted his chest as if pointing out himself, prompting a friendly tap on the shoulder from Allen.
Did Vinovich admit they missed the call? Did he apologize? According to Allen, Vinovich told him to “don’t yell” after he vocally protested the call.
“I wasn’t happy with what was happening,” Allen said. “I was yelling a little bit. He just said, ‘Don’t yell.’ So that’s too bad for Bill.
Fortunately for the Bills, the missed call didn’t prove too costly. They held the Broncos to three points on Denver’s next possession, then got his touchdown on a wild fourth-and-1 conversion on their ensuing possession to increase their lead to 21-7. Buffalo won 31-7 and will host the Baltimore Ravens next week in the divisional round of the playoffs.