Football fans are convinced that the Baltimore Ravens-Buffalo Bills Divisional Round game was “rigged” following several controversial calls by the NFL refs in favor of Josh Allen and company.
One day after receiving immense criticism for their performance in the Kansas City Chiefs-Houston Texans Divisional Round game, another crew of NFL refs followed it up with a lackluster day in Buffalo.
Perhaps the most questionable call was this defensive pass interference on Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White, even though it looked like Buffalo wide receiver Keon Coleman pushed him off. The Bills would turn that fresh set of downs into a TD:
This was called defensive pass interference even though it looks like Coleman pushes off pic.twitter.com/uaxTUpxiiV
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 20, 2025
There was also this tackle from Ed Oliver on Lamar Jackson that probably should have drawn a flag, considering how low the standard is for unnecessary roughness on QBs these days:
Lamar gets tackled as he was going out of bounds. A fight almost breaks out and no flags were thrown. pic.twitter.com/rzfnFzXUr4
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) January 20, 2025
And football fans wasted no time accusing the NFL refs of rigging this game for the Bills, who squeaked out a tight 27-19 victory:
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“WOW RIGGED Crazy how the refs clearly want the bills to win 😔,” one fan wrote.
WOW
— Ryan Bidwell (@TheRyanBidwell) January 20, 2025
RIGGED
Crazy how the refs clearly want the bills to win 😔 pic.twitter.com/9OFyyCMrKB
“Keon Coleman had his hands around his neck and shoved him lmaooo the refs want the bills to win so bad,” a fan wrote.
Keon Coleman had his hands around his neck and shoved him lmaooo the refs want the bills to win so bad pic.twitter.com/k29s3Rn62b
— John (@iam_johnw) January 20, 2025
“Rigged. The NFL is unwatchable. The Bills get bailed out on 3rd down more than any team in NFL History… Did I do it right?.?.?.,” asked another.
Rigged. The NFL is unwatchable. The Bills get bailed out on 3rd down more than any team in NFL History…
— John Hilton (@84BAD) January 20, 2025
Did I do it right?.?.?. @barstoolsports https://t.co/NBbfxCIZ6h
“Yeah man so obviously rigged for the bills“ said another.
Yeah man so obviously rigged for the bills
— TEXANS-SZN (@Cam_WhitmoreBae) January 20, 2025
“It’s blatant OPI. Game is rigged for the Bills,” a fan remarked.
It’s blatant OPI. Game is rigged for the Bills
— Dialga Marine (@DialgaMarine92) January 20, 2025
“Bills gifted 7 pts before the half on the DPI call. RIGGED,” wrote one fan.
Bills gifted 7 pts before the half on the DPI call. RIGGED.
— KansasMan55 (@KansasMan55) January 20, 2025
“No flag. Easy cheap shop and 15 yards. Refs looked the other way. Fixed @NFL Called this one early also. It’s so easy to see how games will be favored by just paying attention early in games. Bills win guaranteed. Refs and nfl will control this game,” another said.
No flag. Easy cheap shop and 15 yards. Refs looked the other way. Fixed @NFL Called this one early also. It’s so easy to see how games will be favored by just paying attention early in games. Bills win guaranteed. Refs and nfl will control this game. https://t.co/OCfZllKtyX
— Dave Kadrmas (@DaveKadrmas) January 20, 2025
NFL Refs Didn’t Cost Ravens Against The Bills
Buffalo benefited from those two questionable calls, yes. But the Ravens also turned the ball over three times, with Mark Andrews fumbling the ball to end a promising drive in Buffalo territory during the fourth quarter.
Plus , Andrews dropped a game-tying two-point conversion attempt with the season on the line. Blame the refs all you want, but the Ravens committed far too many costly mistakes in this one.
