While it’s difficult to blame an entire game on one call, there are certain moments where a penalty can absolutely swing a game. And for the Indianapolis Colts, they were on the wrong end of one of those penalties on Sunday.
The Browns and Colts played a back-and-forth thriller in Week 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium. And with the Browns driving late down five points, P.J. Walker’s first-and-goal attempt to Donovan Peoples-Jones sailed high and out of the end zone. But a late flag gave the Browns a golden opportunity — one they’d take advantage of.
The refs called Darrell Baker Jr. for pass interference, overlooking that the pass was uncatchable. The penalty set the Browns up at the one-yard line for Kareem Hunt to punch in the go-ahead score.
Here’s a look at the penalty:
Was this ball uncatchable or should it have been pass interference on the Colts? pic.twitter.com/W1VpEuJOUf
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 22, 2023
That’s just so bad, and it came after the Colts were already called for a questionable illegal contact penalty that erased a turnover.
Brutal finish for the Colts against the Browns.
E.J. Speed strip sacks P.J. Walker. DeForest Buckner recovers, apparently clinching the game.
But Darrell Baker is penalized for illegal contact, negating the turnover and giving the Browns a first down. pic.twitter.com/hoYe7b1Tea
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 22, 2023
You can’t blame Colts fans for being upset with the officials after the 39-38 loss.
This was how Twitter reacted
This is not even close to catchable. The #Colts just got robbed of a win by these refs!! Hold these clowns responsible @NFL https://t.co/MjvV3lwQde
— Sad Indiana Fan (@BufordBallsmiff) October 22, 2023
I feel like the only time I’ve seen this picked up for an uncatchable pass this year was when it was a penalty that would have hurt the Chiefs.
It’s NEVER picked up. https://t.co/QGwM79fWBx
— Joe Dolan (@FG_Dolan) October 22, 2023
Victor Wembanyama isn’t catching that ball https://t.co/CnrJaGLCUl
— A.J. Manuzzi (@AJManuzzi) October 22, 2023
Every single week the Refs make a horrible call/non-call. Absolutely terrible. https://t.co/WN6I7TdURk
— BJ Ruble (@brublejr) October 22, 2023
This is not even close to a catchable ball https://t.co/FLcJcCz0fR
— Joey Plummer (@Joey_Puig) October 22, 2023
Oh my goodness the Colts got robbed 💀💀💀💀💀 this is atrocious https://t.co/loYEBM1FZC
— VP🫡 (@Veeepy_) October 22, 2023
bailed out 2 weeks in a row is crazy https://t.co/3SXpq39119
— Nick (@DefrankNicholas) October 22, 2023
That ball was five yards out the end zone…these refs were garbage https://t.co/S0wGu3yJJ7
— Dylan Murphy (@Murphys_law85) October 22, 2023
Hell no. That should be uncatchable. https://t.co/hOmPWCR1eM
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) October 22, 2023
