In the NFL, we all know Patrick Mahomes is like the golden child when it comes to media attention, but Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is no stranger to having the spotlight shine brightly on him either. During Buffalo’s decisive Wild Card triumph over the Denver Broncos, there was a sideline encounter that caught the eyes of many—a casual conversation between Allen and referee Bill Vinovich. Now, this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill interaction; it’s not every day you see a ref meander over to the bench for a chat with a player.

The encounter was broadcasted far and wide on social media, sparking conversation and comparisons to how folks might react if it had been Mahomes in Allen’s shoes. The common sentiment being that if the Chiefs’ QB had a similar discussion, the reactions would be far more intense, given the Chiefs’ history of benefiting from debatable calls or no-calls at crucial moments. But let’s not get distracted from the main narrative here: Why was Josh Allen having this seemingly unusual chat with Vinovich during the Bills’ postseason clash?

After the clock had run its course, Allen shed some light on the exchange. When asked what Vinovich advised him on, Allen kept it straightforward: “Don’t be yelling.”

The background to this brief meeting stemmed from Allen’s disappointment during a play where Broncos defensive back Patrick Surtain appeared to hold Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid in the end zone. A potential defensive holding or pass interference call was absent, which meant that instead of a golden chance from the 1-yard line, Buffalo had to settle for three points. Allen wasn’t shy about expressing his frustration over the lack of a flag, triggering the referee’s intervention.

Now, some might say Allen got away with just a friendly chat instead of a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, showcasing a bit of leniency from Vinovich. Meanwhile, others might argue this was a taste of the so-called ‘star treatment.’

Whatever perspective you adopt, it doesn’t alter the end result. Buffalo didn’t just skim past Denver; they dominated them 31-7, framing the bigger picture of their commanding performance.

While the field goal was a small blip, the Bills’ emphatic win over the Broncos painted a clear narrative of their playoff prowess.