Jim Irsay: NFL Refs Admitted Mistakes in Colts vs. Browns; Owner Eyes Expanded Replay
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
After a pair of late questionable penalty calls doomed the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns, team governor Jim Irsay said the NFL acknowledged the errors that were made.
Irsay said Tuesday that the league “admits and understands that they did not make the correct calls” near the end of the game that allowed the Browns to be in position to score the go-ahead touchdown to defeat the Colts 39-38. He went on to advocate for an expanded replay system where all calls are reviewable in the last two minutes of games:
Jim Irsay @JimIrsay
URGENT NFL/COLTS NEWS:
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With the Browns driving into Indianapolis territory, it appeared the Colts had shut the door when defensive tackle DeForest Buckner recovered a fumble after a sack of quarterback P.J. Walker. However, Indianapolis cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. was called for illegal contact, giving Cleveland a fresh set of downs.
On the very next play, Baker was called for pass interference in the end zone on what looked like an uncatchable ball, giving the Browns the ball at the goal line. Veteran running back Kareem Hunt punched it in to send the Colts home with a heartbreaking loss.
NFL fans quickly called out the questionable calls on social media.
While Irsay sounds pleased that the NFL admitted that mistakes were made, it still dropped Indianapolis’ record to 3-4. The Colts will be trying to stop a two-game skid when they meet the New Orleans Saints (3-4) on Sunday.
