It looked like it was going to be the play of the game. Everything was going to be alright even after the Cleveland Browns blew a 10-point lead to start the game. The team was going to win and despite not looking great after said hot start it was still certainly making the trip to Vegas worth it.
Let’s set the scene.
The Raiders are leading 20-16 with just over 10 minutes left in the 4th quarter. The Browns have the ball inside their own 20.
Deshaun Watson, a quarterback criticized by just about everyone, takes the snap, is able to avoid a pass rusher and steps up. He slings it down the field, takes a huge shot and targets wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Cooper catches the pass (holds on amazingly) and dashes across the 50. He’s able to swerve down the sideline and sprint to the end zone for a touchdown to give the Dawgs what was going to be a lead. 82-yards it was.
But no…
A holding flag on tackle Nick Harris nullifies the huge touchdown. And originally, I just assumed some Browns player had to ruin the amazing play for us all. However, with the highlights and the analysis on social media, the consensus was that it was a completely horrific call.
I took this screenshot of the highlight.
I saw that the Browns tackle was “holding” onto the Raiders defensive lineman, Christian Wilkins. I was trying to figure out why the call was bad. It took me a bit with some explaining from friends but here we go.
Essentially you’re allowed to “hold” onto a jersey. The point is the defender has to be able to pull away from that grabbing. Looking at this highlight and that lineman was indeed completely freed from the jersey grab and able to rush the quarterback just fine.
Thus, despite that screenshot of mine, that call made by the refs is one of the most crucial moments of the game and maybe even this season. The Browns, assuming the extra point is good, take a 23-20 lead.
Of course, this wasn’t a hail mary as the clock hit zero. Cleveland still would’ve had to defend the Raiders and finish the job for those final 10 minutes…No guarantees.
Additionally, Amari Cooper had a horrible drop earlier in the game that resulted in a Raiders interception. This touchdown would’ve really served as a great way to help out a player clearly suffering mentally with these missed catches. That was nullified and one has to feel bad for him too.
Want to watch the actual highlight? Right here:
This was an analysis of one play and while it was a huge one these Browns are lost as a team. From top to bottom they look defeated and something has to change or else a season that carried so much promise may end in disappointment instead.
Next week, the Browns go to Washington to face the 3-1 Commanders.
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