You’re not going to believe this, folks, but we have more weird officiating in the National Football League. This time, it’s Shawn Hochuli’s crew in the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With 10:28 left in the first quarter, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was sacked by Browns edge terror Myles Garrett. The box score will tell you that Pickett was down at his own one-yard line, but it certainly looked as if Pickett was sacked in the end zone for a safety, and two points for the Browns.
CBS Sports rules analyst and former NFL referee Gene Steratore agreed.
NFL Rules Analyst Gene Steratore said this was a clear. safety. He also said, "By rule, I think if Cleveland challenges that play, the result of that play becomes a safety." Missed opportunity for Kevin Stefanski. I don't understand how everyone got this call wrong. It's obvious. https://t.co/if4A6VnzWy pic.twitter.com/4o4Ob2rGfj
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) November 19, 2023
This is a great play by Myles Garrett that should have resulted in a safety IMO.
If any part of the football has broken the goal line when contact first occurs, the correct ruling is safety.
đź“ş #PITvsCLE https://t.co/47EWRoOAmS https://t.co/H2ScizudtB
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) November 19, 2023
Per Tom Withers of the Associated Press, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski threw the challenge flag, but that didn’t do much.
That was a safety. Stefanski threw challeng flag, don't know why it wasn't acknowledged.
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) November 19, 2023
If there’s a missed call, and the officiating crew misses the challenge flag, what is a team supposed to do?
Sadly, this was not the inly instance in which Stefanski’s team would have legitimate issue with Hochuli and his crew.
Here's the last 2 plays of the 1st half before the #Browns had to settle for a FG. Both should've been pass interference, neither were called. Njoku gets clubbed in the face on 2nd down. Then the DB has his hands all over Cooper throughout his entire route on 3rd down. No flags. pic.twitter.com/5XJbGreZUh
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) November 19, 2023