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‘Let us play’: Patriots cornerback reacts to controversial fourth-quarter call
"Just seeing how late the flag came in, I think we're all thinking the same thing."
FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots were clinging on to a three-point lead with 8:19 to go in the fourth quarter.
They appeared to get a stop on third and 4. Josh Allen hit Keon Coleman in the hands with a pass, and the ball bounced between them and off of his shoulder pads before falling to the turf incomplete.
Then came a penalty flag for defensive pass interference on New England cornerback Carlton Davis, giving the Bills a first down and another shot at what would eventually become the game-winning drive.
It took Buffalo just three more plays to punch in the game-winning score, an 11-yard James Cook touchdown run. The Patriots got the ball back twice after that, but were unable to put additional points on the board.
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Speaking with reporters at his locker after the game, Davis said the call felt late.
“You can see how late the flag came out. If it’s a flag, it’s like definitive,” Davis said, snapping his fingers. “Like, throw the flag. If it’s not a flag in a close game like this, then you’ve got to let us play, you know what I’m saying? Just seeing how late the flag came in, I think we’re all thinking the same thing.”
It was one of several costly penalties against the Patriots. The team’s inability to get stops, along with the penalties, were among the major differences between the first half during which New England built a 21-point lead, and the second-half where New England gave up 21 unanswered, coach Mike Vrabel said after the game.
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“A few small plays make the difference,” Vrabel said.
Vrabel was asked for his reaction to a pair of pass interference calls that led to Buffalo touchdowns.
“The same guy thought it was a penalty the same way,” Vrabel 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.”
The Patriots have now split their regular-season series with the Bills. They had a chance to clinch the AFC East division with a win. Instead it’s a loss and the race just got a bit more competitive.
A snowy game with potential playoff implications wound up being a close one. It didn’t go the way the Patriots’ way.
“It’s frustrating. You know what’s on the line,” Davis said. “This game is so close, and it comes down to a game of inches, and 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.”
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