Holy Roller rules wrecks Browns in loss to Jets

The Cleveland Browns rallied but a late fumble wrecked their hopes

It was a fourth-and-one for Cleveland. Baker Mayfield and the quarterback sneak in the final 75 seconds for what they hoped was the first down.

And Cleveland being Cleveland came back to haunt. No playoff spot clinched. A long week before Week 17 and a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mayfield fumbled the ball after being hit on the play. The ball was recovered by Kareem Hunt.

However, a fumble in the last two minutes can not be advanced by anyone other than the offensive player who coughed the ball up.

The ball was brought back to the spot of the fumble, which wasn’t enough for the first down.

Final score: New York Jets 23, Cleveland Browns 16.

And talk about a game where everybody lost.

Cleveland couldn’t manage to clinch the playoff spot it was seeking.

Meanwhile, the Jets saw their slim chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft evaporate with their second straight victory.

The Holy Roller rule was enacted years ago after the Raiders won a game on a forward fumble by Ken Stabler that was recovered by tight end Dave Casper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGffYc5eXnA

The Holy Roller also played a role in the Chargers’ victory over the Raiders this season. A Justin Herbert fumble in overtime was recovered by another Bolt in the end zone. However, it came back and the rookie quarterback scored the winning touchdown eventually.