Controversial ending marred the last Browns-Raiders matchup

Carlos Hyde got the game-winning first down but the NFL decided otherwise

When the Cleveland Browns host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8, the home fans are hoping the Raiders are the only foe the Browns are combatting. That was not the case in the last matchup between these two teams.

Flashback to Week 4 of 2018. The Browns have a 42-34 lead late in the game after Nick Chubb gashed the Raiders defense for a 41-yard TD. The Browns defense had just held up against the Raiders, forcing a Derek Carr incompletion to Amari Cooper on 4th down. It’s 3rd-and-2 with under two minutes to play and the game is over when Carlos Hyde runs for two yards up the middle.

Except a booth review initiated from the league office decides that there is conclusive evidence Hyde didn’t make it. Not one person watching the game, including FOX officiating analyst Dean Blandino, believed there was any justification for overturning the spot — especially in a game where an obvious mis-spotting of the ball earlier in the game was not overturned. Referee Walt Anderson and his crew also missed an obvious illegal procedure penalty on an earlier Raiders scoring drive.  

The Raiders went on to win in overtime. 

The call, which angered the FOX broadcast crew in real-time, left the Browns players incredibly frustrated.

This is how it looked in the NFL’s official game book:

(1:41) 34-C.Hyde up the middle to CLV 19 for 2 yards (56-D.Johnson; 59-T.Whitehead). Officials to measure for 1st down – Unsuccessful. The Replay Official reviewed the first down ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 34-C.Hyde up the middle to CLV 18 for 1 yard (56-D.Johnson; 59-T.Whitehead). Officials to measure for 1st down – 1st down.

Here’s hoping referee Bill Vinovich and his officiating crew don’t interject themselves into the outcome of Sunday’s game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Here’s also hoping the NFL doesn’t force them to do that, either.

Editor note – A portion of this article previously appeared in a piece I wrote for RealGM Football

Listen: Browns Wire joins All Eyez on Cleveland to break down Raiders matchup, OBJ talk

Listen: Browns Wire joins All Eyez on Cleveland to break down Raiders matchup and the Odell Beckham Jr. talk

Browns Wire managing editor Jeff Risdon joined the All Eyez on Cleveland Podcast with frequent contributor Brad Ward to break down the current state of the Browns entering Week 8.

Among the topics of discussion in the lively interview:

  • Are the Browns really better off without Odell Beckham Jr. in the lineup?
  • Possible trade targets for the Browns to shore up the defense and maybe help replace Beckham in the short term at WR
  • Myles Garrett is killing it but needs more help
  • Breaking down the matchups with the Raiders
  • What a win means for the Browns and the AFC playoff race

 

Browns Wire Podcast: Breaking down the Week 7 win and previewing Raiders’ contest

Josh Keatley and Mac Robinson break it all down

Welcome to The Browns Wire Podcast, hosted by Josh Keatley (@JoshKeatley16). This week, Mac Robinson (@MacRobinson95), host of the Hurry Up Podcast comes on to discuss Cincinnati Bengals takeaways & Las Vegas Raiders predictions.

  • Can Baker Mayfield continue his hot streak?
  • Will the offense take a step back without Odell Beckham Jr.?
  • Can the Browns slow down Derek Carr?
  • Austin Hooper autograph giveaway: your chance to win an Austin Hooper autograph — like, follow and share and it can be yours.

Give the Browns Wire Podcast a like on Facebook and follow on Twitter

It’s also available on all of your favorite podcast apps, including iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher and Spotify. Thanks for listening!

Odds watch: Browns open as slight favorites over Raiders in Week 8

The 5-2 Browns are barely favored over the 3-3 Raiders

The Cleveland Browns are 5-2 and coming off a win. The Las Vegas Raiders are 3-3 and head to Cleveland coming off a blowout loss. Despite those divergent records and paths, the Browns are barely favored to beat back the invaders from the AFC West.

At BetMGM the Browns are 2.5-point favorites over the visiting Raiders. Considering the home team typically gets a 3-point bump in value, that line effectively makes this a tossup game. Granted the Raiders did have COVID-19 issues on the offensive line in Week 7 and the Browns did lose top wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to injury, but that’s still a lower favorite line than expected.

The early over/under total is 53.5. Both teams have surpassed that total five times this year through Week 7.

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