The Cleveland Browns got one over on Baker Mayfield on Sunday, defeating the Carolina Panthers 26-24 on a last-second field goal. However, it appears that the Browns got away with an illegal fake spike to set up the kick, which they should have been penalized for.
With 19 seconds left, the Browns trailed 24-23 and found themselves at the Panthers’ 40-yard-line. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett took the snap and fake-spiked the ball before actually spiking it. In doing so, he violated Rule 8, Section 2, Article 1, Item 4 of the NFL rulebook, which states that a player, who, “after delaying his passing action for strategic purposes, is prohibited from throwing the ball to the ground in front of him.”
Here’s the Browns fake spike, spike play. Per rules you can’t spike the ball after a fake spike but refs clearly had no idea about the rule , Browns went on to kick game-winning FG pic.twitter.com/JYzSQojxRG https://t.co/YYKd12IOqQ
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 11, 2022
However, the referees didn’t penalize Brissett for the action and let the Browns kick their game-winning field goal from that spot. In actuality, they should have been penalized and lost yards, which could have significantly changed the outcome of the final play.
Browns rookie kicker Cade York nails a 58-yard field goal that would serve as the game-winner vs Baker Mayfield and the Carolina Panthers! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ki9oEeD4Qu
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 11, 2022
Referee Brad Rogers was asked about the fake spike after the game, telling reporters that “we determined that stepping back does not disqualify the quarterback from spiking the ball and we allowed him to do that by rule.”
PFWA pool report from referee Brad Rogers on late Burns roughing call and the fake spike call Matt Rhule referenced. pic.twitter.com/otUnT2Cr1i
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) September 11, 2022
The referees also caught a lot of flack for calling a roughing the passer penalty against the Panthers when it seemed dubious as to whether or not it should have been, especially given the moment in the game.
This may be the worse call I’ve seen with the game on the line in a LONG time! Not roughing the passer!
— Overtime Carolina Panthers (@OvertimePanther) September 11, 2022
Of course, it wouldn’t be a truly wild Week 1 in the NFL without some questionable referee decisions.
