Carlton Davis Challenges Late Flag as Patriots Fall to Bills
FOXBOROUGH, MA. — The New England Patriots are still reeling from their narrow 35-31 defeat to the Buffalo Bills, but one member of their defensive backfield is particularly vocal about the officiating in the game’s critical moments. Cornerback Carlton Davis has expressed his frustration over a pivotal pass interference call that he believes impacted the outcome of the contest.
The Controversial Call
With just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Patriots facing a crucial 3rd-and-4 from their own 47-yard line, Davis was penalized for pass interference on a play where he broke up a pass from Bills quarterback Josh Allen meant for receiver Keon Coleman. As the game unfolded, Davis made his displeasure known, asserting that the flag was thrown well after the ball had hit the ground.
Replays indicated that Davis had indeed grasped Coleman’s jersey before the ball arrived, but he argued that the timing of the flag suggested the infraction was not clear-cut.
“You could see how late the flag came out,” Davis remarked to reporters following the game. “If it’s a flag and it’s, like, definitive — throw the flag. If it’s not a flag, in a close game like this, then let us play. You understand? Just by seeing how late the flag came in, I think we’re all thinking the same thing.”
This penalty allowed the Bills to gain a first down at the Patriots’ 32-yard line, a critical moment that ultimately led to running back James Cook scoring a touchdown just three plays later, giving Buffalo a lead they would not relinquish.
Broader Discontent in Patriots Nation
Davis’s sentiments resonate with many in Patriots Nation, who share similar frustrations regarding officiating. Earlier in the fourth quarter, another controversial pass interference call against cornerback Marcus Jones paved the way for a key Buffalo touchdown. Jones was flagged for his attempt to break up a fourth-down pass from Allen to receiver Khalil Shakir, resulting in a 37-yard advance that set the stage for another scoring play.
While head coach Mike Vrabel refrained from publicly criticizing the officials, he acknowledged that both calls were subjective and part of the judgment calls that come with the territory of officiating. “The same guy thought it was a penalty the same way,” he said. “So, it’s a judgment call. Whether I disagree with it or not doesn’t matter. He called it. That’s how this thing goes.”
Davis’s Passion for the Game
Davis, however, was less inclined to accept the decisions without protest. With the Patriots on a 10-game winning streak and in contention for their first AFC East title since 2019, Davis felt that the intensity of the moment warranted allowing both teams to determine the outcome through their play, not by the whistle of a referee.
“It’s frustrating,” he expressed. “You know what’s on the line. This game’s so close, and it comes down to a game of inches. At that moment, you’re either going to throw the flag or you’re not. You don’t take 10 seconds to throw a flag, you know what I’m saying? If it’s a definitive flag, throw it. If it’s not, you gotta let us play.”
As the Patriots regroup from this hard-fought loss, the echoes of Davis’s critique may linger, prompting discussions about the role of officiating in high-stakes matchups.
