Jim Irsay claims the NFL ‘admits’ poor officiating towards the end of the Colts-Browns game

Irsay also revealed that Anthony Richardson underwent right shoulder surgery on Tuesday to cure his AC joint sprain.

Jim Irsay claims the NFL ‘admits’ poor officiating towards the end of the Colts-Browns game

Jim Irsay on Colts vs. Browns (Via Imago/X)

A wrong call by the official ended up costing the Indianapolis Colts a hefty price in the game against the Cleveland Browns. As the Colts owner Jim Irsay revealed, the NFL has admitted the poor officiating held towards the end of the Colts vs. Brown game, on Sunday.

In a recent social media post, Irsay made a statement regarding the illegal contact and defensive pass interference calls made against the Colts cornerback Darrell Baker Jr., in the last few minutes of the game. This led to the Browns’ victory by a close margin of 39-38. Post-game, a call between Irsay and the NFL officials was scheduled for Monday to get a better clarification on the matter.

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The actual subject for the scheduled call was whether Baker impeded Amari Cooper‘s route or if the contact made by him was rather incidental. And a pass-interference penalty was called, moments later, even though the throw to Donovan Peoples-Jones seemed relatively uncatchable.

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It’s normal in the NFL for teams to follow up with the league office regarding any calls that they disagree with. Usually, these conversations are kept private, and not shared with the public. However, Irsay did not seem to agree with that this time.

The NFL admits and understands that they did not make the correct calls at end of Sunday’s Colts/Browns Game. I believe we need to institute Instant Replay for all calls, including Penalties, in the last two minutes of All Games.
Jim Irsay on X

In addition to this news, the Colts owner also announced that their quarterback Anthony Richardson underwent right shoulder surgery on Tuesday to cure his AC joint sprain. For recovery, he would not be able to play for the rest of the season.

Browns snatched victory from Colts in controversial final drive

In the final drive of the game with just a few minutes remaining, the Browns were down at 38-33. On the third-and-4, Browns quarterback P.J. Walker was strip-sacked by the Colts linebacker E.J. Speed, while the defensive lineman DeForest Buckner was attempting to recover the ball for a game-sealing turnover.

Colts-Browns game
Colts CB Baker was penalized for illegal contact (Via Larry Brown Sports)

However, it couldn’t happen as the Colts quarterback Baker was penalized for illegal contact, which negated the game. Apparently, Baker made some contact with Browns wide receiver Cooper past the five-yard mark.

But this wasn’t it, as Walker to Browns wide receiver fell incomplete, Baker was flagged again for pass interference on a ball that fell many yards away from the play. This resulted in the Browns being up to the 1-yard line of the Colts. Around four plays later, Browns running back made a game-winning touchdown, resulting in the score at 39-38.

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