Holding onto a three-point lead in the fourth quarter, the New England Patriots ‘defense knew they needed a crucial stop.
That’s where Carlton Davis came in, tasked with covering Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman as Allen targeted him on a third-down conversion. Davis defended the play, with his right hand trying to knock the ball away.
Immediately after, it seemed that the Patriots’ defense had gotten their needed stop, but then a late flag was thrown and Davis was called for defensive pass interference. That gave the Bills prime field position, with James Cook scoring a touchdown just a few plays later.
When asked about this call after the game, Davis did not hold back.
“It’s frustrating. You know what’s on the line. 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,” Davis said (per MassLive). “You don’t take 10 seconds to throw a flag. Like, if it’s a definitive flag, throw it. If it’s not, let us play. You know what I mean?”
On the replay, it didn’t seem like Davis made a lot of contact with Coleman.
“I mean, you can see how late the flag came out,” Davis added. “Like, if it’s a flag, it’s like definitive, you know, throw the flag. If it’s not a flag, in a close game like this, you got to let us play. You know what I’m saying? So just by seeing how late the flag came in, I think we’re all thinking the same thing.”
The Patriots ultimately fell to the Bills 35-31 despite holding a 21-point lead in the first half.
Carlton Davis Left Sunday’s Game With An Injury
GettyCarlton Davis III of the New England Patriots
In the second half, Davis went into the blue medical for a period of time before heading into the locker room. He was officially announced as questionable to return with a groin injury.
Charles Woods stepped in to play opposite Christian Gonzalez in Davis’s absence.
However, for the last two drives of the game, Davis came back into the game and explained why after the game.
“That’s in my DNA,” Davis said (per MassLive). “I know what’s on the line, and it’s so hard to watch your team play and not be able to be out there and contribute, especially when I’m needed or when it’s a close game. And obviously, we know what’s on the line, the division. We know number one seed, everything’s on the line. I’m not about to stay out. If I got a limp out there, I’m going to limp. Credit to the trainers. Came in here, we did some good exercises that allowed me to get a couple of drives in, and that was it.”
Marcus Jones Was Also Called For Defensive Pass Interference
Two pass interference calls in the fourth quarter greatly impacted the game. Along with Davis’s call, cornerback Marcus Jones was also called for pass interference on a fourth-down deep pass by Allen to Khalil Shakir.
“The same guy thought it was a penalty the same way,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said regarding the call. “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.
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