Tony Romo slams controversial holding call against Bills during Divisional game vs. Ravens

Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins had a very questionable holding penalty called on him during the first quarter of Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Simply put, Tony Romo did not agree with the call. Neither did Dawkins, who had a word with an official after the play. Romo made his feelings known on the CBS broadcast.

"Oh! That is not a hold at all, Jim!… That's a terrible call!" – Tony Romo on a holding call against the Bills that turns 3rd-and-3 into 2nd-and-22🏈🦓🎙️ #NFL https://t.co/munpwXRDYY pic.twitter.com/5xQOE6rQ3a

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 20, 2025

“Oh, that is not a hold at all, Jim [Nantz],” Romo said. “He just swipes his hands down, a little trap technique which is when you try to put your hands on him, and you swipe him down. That’s a terrible call. … He [Dawkins] perfected the art of what we’re teaching.”

Dion Dawkins holding penalty costly for Bills

The 10-yard penalty was costly — very costly for Buffalo. On the same play, quarterback Josh Allen had completed an eight-yard pass to receiver Curtis Samuel to make it third-and-3. A manageable third down turned into second-and-22. Buffalo punted a few plays later, giving the ball back to Baltimore with the game tied at seven.

Fortunately for the Bills, they caught a break. As Baltimore was knocking on the doorstep of the red zone, safety Damar Hamlin strip-sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson, and linebacker Von Miller took it the other way for 39 yards. Four plays later, the Bills took a 14-7 lead courtesy of a one-yard rushing score from Allen.

Hopefully, that will be it as far as officiating controversies are concerned. After all, the draw here isn’t those in stripes; It’s two of the best teams in the NFL and a faceoff between the top two MVP candidates in Allen and Jackson.