HC McDermott Furious Over Officials’ Decision Not to Penalize Falcons for Dangerous Hit on Bills Receiver
HC McDermott Furious Over Officials’ Decision Not to Penalize Falcons for Dangerous Hit on Bills Receiver
Atlanta, Georgia – Tension filled the Mercedes-Benz Stadium during halftime of the Bills vs. Falcons matchup, not because of the score, but because of a controversial play that left Buffalo’s sideline fuming.

In the second quarter, Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer was taken down by a Falcons defender using a hip-drop tackle — a move the NFL has deemed highly dangerous due to its potential to cause severe knee and ankle injuries. Yet despite the clear motion of the tackle, no flag was thrown on the play, leaving fans and players stunned.
During the halftime break, Bills head coach Sean McDermott was visibly frustrated, expressing anger toward the officiating crew for ignoring what he described as “a dangerous and unacceptable hit.”
"That was a clear penalty. We’re not just fighting for wins — we’re fighting to protect our players. Joshua deserves the same protection as anyone else out there. When a hip-drop tackle goes uncalled, it’s not just wrong by the rules — it’s wrong for the spirit of the game," McDermott said after the game.
NFL insiders later stated that the officials “did not see enough evidence to call the foul,” but analysts and fans strongly disagreed, pointing out that the league has vowed to crack down on hip-drop tackles since the start of the 2024 season.
WOW: The refs missed an obvious hip-drop tackle on the #Falcons that injured #Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 14, 2025
There was no flag thrown for this hip drop penalty.
Buffalo can not be happy with this.
The flag on the play was for something else.
pic.twitter.com/nAZtuLKXPA
The incident has ignited outrage among Bills Mafia, with many calling for the NFL to review the footage and hold officials accountable.
For Buffalo, it’s not just about fairness — it’s about protecting their players and the integrity of the game.













