It has been a roller coaster of emotions for the Cleveland Browns this season. Their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers ended in a tie after their ex-kicker Zane Gonzalez missed a 43-yard field goal to win the game in overtime. Their 21-18 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 included two missed field goal attempts and two missed extra points by Gonzalez. The Browns finally got one in the win column the following week in a Thursday showdown against the New York Jets where their 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield was forced to come into the game, and eventually saved the day. Today was just another adventure.
With the Browns hoping to run the clock out up by eight points with 1:46 remaining, Carlos Hyde’s number was called on a running play on 3rd and 4. Hyde appeared to stretch out and at least draw even with the yellow line used as a first-down marker. The ball was spotted, then measured, and it was determined that Cleveland got the first down. The Browns would be able to kneel out the rest of the clock, and come away with the victory.
The referees, however, decided to take another look at where they spotted the ball. Despite not having clear visual evidence of where the ball was located when Hyde’s elbow went down, the refs came out the review and determined that they didn’t get the first down.
The refs' robbery of the Browns has forced Cleveland police to jokingly issue a warrant as they look for the people responsible for stealing a potential win away.
