The Denver Broncos escaped with a 30-26 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, but not without a major assist from the officials — at least according to former NFL referee Terry McAulay.
McAulay, now a rules analyst, didn't hold back when breaking down the final minutes of the game. He believes the referees made a critical error on a late pass from Bo Nix that was picked off by Rams defensive back Josh Wallace — only to have the play wiped out by a questionable pass interference flag.
“As we get towards the end, we actually see the receiver grab the defender and pull in on him,” McAulay said. “I don’t see the defender do anything that significantly hinders the receiver on this play. Even the first part. There’s just hands on him, he doesn’t do anything with them.”
The flag gave Denver a fresh set of downs, and the Broncos eventually scored the go-ahead touchdown. McAulay, joined by Cris Collinsworth in the broadcast booth, agreed that the play should have stood as an interception.
“If the knee gets down, yes. If two feet are down, yes. I absolutely—that’s what I see,” McAulay said.
The non-call proved decisive. Denver improved to 2-1 on the season, while the Rams dropped to 1-2. For a Los Angeles team already struggling to find its footing, this loss stings even more knowing a potential turnover was taken off the board.
This isn't the first time officials have come under fire this season. From missed offensive pass interference on CeeDee Lamb to a brutal defensive pass interference call on Daron Bland, the league's officiating has been a hot topic. And now, this Broncos-Rams game adds another layer to the debate. It's the kind of quest for perfection that McAulay and others have criticized, where referees seem to be guessing rather than letting the game play out.
For the Rams, the frustration is palpable. They played well enough to win, but a single questionable flag flipped the script. For the Broncos, the victory is sweet, but it comes with an asterisk for many — including those who study the rulebook closely.
McAulay's willingness to call out his former colleagues is refreshing. In a league where referees are often protected, his honesty provides some clarity. But it doesn't change the final score — Denver walks away with the win, and Los Angeles is left wondering what could have been.
If the Rams want to turn their season around, they'll need to overcome more than just the refs. But on Sunday night, the officiating was the story — and not in a good way. As the season progresses, expect more scrutiny on how games are officiated, especially in crunch time.
