The Cleveland Browns lost another heartbreaker on Sunday, and for the second time this season, their loss had a little something to do with the officiating.
Related: Botched penalty helped Ravens survive Browns upset bid
With under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Browns driving, Duke Johnson took the handoff left for the first down into Washington Redskins territory. The ball popped out as he was being taken down, but Johnson stood up holding the ball and showing it to the referees.
As Johnson stood up, referees called the recovery to Washington.
Streamable screenshot
Somehow, the Browns wouldn't even win a review because it doesn't show the team recovering the fumble:
#Nfl explanation of Duke Johnson fumble ruling pic.twitter.com/cwm7TPFKsU
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 2, 2016
#Browns debated Duke Johnson fumble was reviewed today. There is no evidence of a CLE player recovering it in the pile. Just out of the pile
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 3, 2016
The play (here: https://t.co/GH35FW1kTC) was ruled a WAS recovery. There’s no view of Johnson recovering it. Call was made before he emerged
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 3, 2016
The Browns would fall, 31-20, to remain winless at 0-4.
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