The officials missed an apparent drag on the runner near the goal line by the Bills

It is now common knowledge that shoving a runner is allowed in the NFL. But pulling a man with the ball is not like that.

That didn’t stop Bills guard Ocyrus Torrence from trying to pull James Cook into the end zone last night in Buffalo.

With just over nine minutes remaining in the first half with the score tied at seven, midfielder Josh Allen handed the ball off to Cook for a first-and-goal from the eight. Near paydirt, Torrence pushes Cook first before swinging and trying to pull him across the goal line.

It happened in front of line judge Greg Bradley. But no flag was thrown.

The rule is clear. “No offensive fielder may pull a runner in any direction at any time.” The penalty is ten yards.

So the Bills should have faced second-and-goal from the 11, not second-and-goal from the one.

What made the situation even more bizarre was that CBS did not mention the missed penalty kick.

“Look at Torrence trying to wrestle him,” Jim Nantz said.

Rules analyst Gene Steratore could have stepped in, reminding them that it was still wrong to pull a runner.

The Bills scored on the next play, taking a 14-7 lead. If the penalty had been given, who knows what would have happened during the rest of the trip.

It may be something for the league and/or officials to initiate communication. In the Wild Card Round, he faced Dion Dawkins Cook pulled out At the end of the run. No error was called there either.