The fallout from the Buffalo Bills’ 35–31 victory over the New England Patriots has yet to subside. With mounting pressure from fans, analysts, and media outlets, the NFL has confirmed it has received a formal complaint from the Patriots regarding controversial decisions made by the officiating crew led by John Hussey. The game quickly became a focal point of criticism, as several second-half penalties were believed to have directly altered the flow and outcome of the contest.
According to league sources, the NFL has also gathered a substantial volume of feedback from the public, including video evidence, independent reports, and input from former officials, players, and coaches. Key situations — notably the defensive pass interference calls involving Marcus Jones and Carlton Davis — are being reviewed closely, especially because they occurred at pivotal moments and directly allowed the Bills to extend scoring drives.
While the NFL has not issu
A lot happening on this play. Refs ruled this a pass interference on the Patriots. The Bills declined the penalty because they gave this 50/50 ball to Shakir even though it looks like it could’ve been a Patriots interception. pic.twitter.com/ftFVHK3RDG
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) December 14, 2025
ed a final ruling, the league confirmed it has formally launched an internal investigation into John Hussey’s officiating crew. If serious errors are verified, potential discipline could include a fine of approximately $20,000 and even a suspension from officiating for several games, in accordance with NFL disciplinary procedures for cases that compromise the integrity and fairness of competition.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the growing outrage in a public statement. “The NFL does not ignore what has taken place,” Goodell said. “We have taken action that is appropriate to the seriousness of the situation. Details will be clarified through the proper process, but the message is very clear: the fairness of the game will always be protected, with no exceptions.” His remarks were widely viewed as an effort to reassure fans whose trust has been shaken.
For now, the NFL is urging patience as the investigation continues. Regardless of the final outcome, the situation has reignited serious questions about consistency in game officiating and the increasing pressure placed on NFL referees. For the Patriots, this is about more than a single loss — it is a fight to defend competitive integrity, an issue the entire league is now being forced to confront head-on.
