Bills left shaking heads as early officiating swings momentum toward Patriots

There’s a snowy haze over Gillette Stadium as the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots battle at the top of the AFC East. While there’s some snow fluttering through the air, visibility isn’t an issue for either team. Unfortunately, though, poor visibility from the officiating crew is already impacting the game early in the first quarter.

During their first drive, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye connected with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for a 30-yard completion to convert a 3rd and 7. Boutte made a spectacular, diving effort for the ball, which appeared to bobble as he hit the ground.

The Patriots wisely rushed to the line of scrimmage to make sure the play couldn’t be reversed by quick replay assist, and eventually took the football across the goal line for an opening-drive touchdown.

Gene Steratore, CBS’s lead officiating analyst, suggested after the touchdown drive that had the replay booth taken another look at the Boutte catch, it could have been overturned.

On the Bills’ ensuing drive, Josh Allen launched a deep corner pass to Brandin Cooks, who bobbled the ball before stepping out of bounds. The Bills weren’t so fortunate to avoid the quick replay assist, as the booth buzzed down and quickly erased what would have been a roughly 40-yard reception to set up a quick redzone possession.

Officiating inconsistency immediately puts the Buffalo Bills at a disadvantage

To the Patriots’ credit, the CBS broadcast team pointed out that Mike Vrabel quickly threw a challenge flag on the pass to Cooks, even if the replay booth handled the process anyway. Hopefully Sean McDermott took notes on the situation, because he wasn’t afforded a better look at Boutte’s reception or the benefit of the replay assist.

Bills fans are right to be frustrated with the replay assist bailing out the Patriots by not acting quickly enough. That initial play to Boutte woke up the replay booth, and they were ready for the Cooks play.

It’s a tough enough task to face the Patriots in their house with the weather creating more chaos than usual. The last thing the Bills need is a war on multiple fronts with the replay officials, too.