PFWA Pool Reporter Jeff Legwold Interview with Referee Carl Cheffers
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Question: What did you see on the pass to Brandin Cooks that was ruled an interception by Ja’Quan McMillian?
Carl Cheffers: The receiver has to complete the process of a catch. He was going to the ground as part of the process of the catch and he lost possession of the ball when he hit the ground. The defender gained possession of it at that point. The defender is the one that completed the process of the catch, so the defender was awarded the ball.
Question: Did the ball hit the ground?
Cheffers: No. That was confirmed in the replay process. The interception was confirmed.
Question: Can you take us through the two pass interference penalties in overtime?
Cheffers: The first one (2nd-and-10, Denver 47-yard line) was an arm grab. The defender held the receiver’s right arm down, which prevented him from going up for the pass with two hands. He was attempting a one-arm grab of the ball. And so, that restriction of his right arm was why pass interference was called.
Question: And then the second one (2nd-and-12, Buffalo 38-yard line)?
Cheffers: The second was early contact and an arm grab that materially restricted the receiver.
