Bills QB Josh Allen discusses sideline conversation with ref

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) smiles at something someone said before the Buffalo Bills wild-card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 12, 2025. Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bills QB Josh Allen clears the air on odd sideline conversation with referee

By Conor Killmurray | Last updated Jan 12, 2025 7:17 PM ET

Viewers of the Buffalo Bills playoff game against the Denver Broncos may have caught an interesting moment between NFL referee Bill Vinovich and Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Early in the third quarter, Vinovich made his way to the Bills sideline and talked with Allen while the potential MVP was sitting on the bench. It was a strange moment considering conversations between the refs and players usually happen on the field.

The two seemed to end their talk amicably, as the commentating team of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo speculated that Vinovich was explaining a non-penalty call Allen was upset about earlier. For some NFL fans convinced certain stars get special treatment, it might have looked like a ref was apologizing for missing a call.

According to Allen, Vinovich just told him to stop yelling.

What were Josh Allen and Bill Vinovich chatting about, you ask? pic.twitter.com/76NzJcv61a
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) January 12, 2025

Allen's frustrations stemmed from a stalled drive at the start of the third quarter that ended in a field goal. It was still a one-score game at the time, and after leading the offense down the field, Allen couldn't find anyone in the end zone.

The Bills' franchise leader in touchdown passes felt he couldn't find an open receiver because Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain II was holding tight end Dalton Kincaid. Vinovich didn't see it that way, and no flag was thrown. Allen was visibly upset as he was yelling at the refs and gesturing for a flag.

Josh Allen was upset there wasn't a defensive holding called on this play. pic.twitter.com/3bYgYM65Fu
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 12, 2025

In the postgame news conference, Allen explained that he wasn't happy with the situation but apologized to Vinovich for getting heated. It's no surprise a competitor like Allen would get fired up on a non-call that kept the game too close for comfort. However, no matter how egregious the missed call is from the refs, they won't change their minds based on players protesting.

Ultimately, it didn't stop the Bills from scoring another 18 unanswered points to put the Broncos away and set up a must-watch showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.

Conor Killmurray

Conor Killmurray is a long-suffering fan of New York sports, particularly the Giants and Mets—a potent combination for heartbreak, if you ask him. He graduated from West Chester University with a degree in English and enjoys searching for the most interesting sports stories to write about.

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