NFL Controversy: Bills’ Torrence Pulls Runner, No Flag Thrown

BUFFALO, N.Y. — In a controversial moment during Monday night’s NFL game, Buffalo Bills guard O’Cyrus Torrence attempted to pull running back James Cook into the end zone, a move that violated league rules but went unflagged, sparking debate among fans and analysts.

With just over nine minutes remaining in the first half and the score tied at 7-7, quarterback Josh Allen handed the ball to Cook on first-and-goal from the 8-yard line. As Cook neared the goal line, Torrence first pushed him before wrapping around and attempting to pull him across. The incident occurred directly in front of line judge Greg Bradley, who did not throw a flag.

The NFL rulebook explicitly states, “No offensive player may pull a runner in any direction at any time.” The penalty for such an infraction is 10 yards, which would have moved the Bills back to second-and-goal from the 18-yard line. Instead, they scored on the next play, taking a 14-7 lead.

The CBS broadcast team, including play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz, failed to address the missed call. “Look at Torrence trying to just wrestle him across,” Nantz remarked during the replay. Rules analyst Gene Steratore, who typically provides insight on such situations, also remained silent.

This incident follows a similar unflagged play during the Wild Card round, when Bills tackle Dion Dawkins appeared to pull a runner at the end of a play. The lack of enforcement has raised questions about consistency in officiating and whether the league will address the issue moving forward.

The Bills ultimately won the game, but the missed call could have significantly altered the outcome of the drive. As the NFL continues to refine its rules and officiating standards, this play may serve as a case study for future discussions.