The Cleveland Browns fell to the Los Angeles Chargers in an epic shootout on Sunday. But the Chargers got a major assist from the officiating crew on a critical call that dramatically altered the game script.
Cornerback A.J. Green was flagged for a controversial (to be kind) defensive pass interference penalty on a Chargers fourth down. The interference on the play was quite clearly committed by Los Angeles WR Mike Williams. A drive that should have been over was instead boosted by the 33-yard penalty. Los Angeles would go on to score a touchdown.
It’s one of the worst calls you’ll ever see in an NFL game.
Don’t take my word for it. There are multitudes of people who will tell you how awful the call was in favor of the Chargers.
The ref who called pass interference on that 4th down play in the browns game needs to be fired immediately
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 10, 2021
Looked like it should've been OPI on WR Williams or no flag because of grappling.
Instead flag was thrown DPI on #Browns DB, who had better angle on ball.
Bad call — results in first down on fourth-and-4 pass.
— Tom Krasovic (@SDUTKrasovic) October 10, 2021
The NFL has to address offensive pass interference. That is a complete joke of a call.
— Beau Bishop (@BeauBishop) October 10, 2021
Chargers are going to have to give .@NFLOfficiating a game ball today. What a horrible, horrible DPI call. #Browns
— Tom Moore (@Tom_RedRight88) October 10, 2021
“Pass interference on the Browns” @NFLOfficiating pic.twitter.com/ifTjs8UGoW
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) October 10, 2021
THAT pass interference call changed the entire game. The NFL has to do better and be able to get that right. Atrocious. #Browns
— Matthew Herchik (@MatthewHerchik) October 10, 2021
This was called defensive pass-interference on the #Browns. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/zqiJoKlUup
— Jon Doss (@JonDoss) October 10, 2021
This is DPI. #Browns playing the #Chargers & officials today pic.twitter.com/z5DczVmPKq
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 10, 2021
That’s a terrible flag in the Browns/Chargers game holy shit
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 10, 2021
Wait….DPI on the Browns? That call 🗑🗑🗑
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) October 10, 2021
Another horrid DPI call in Browns game. Officials don’t even know what they are doing or calling anymore. Evergreen tweet
— David Canter (@davidcanter) October 10, 2021