Panthers robbed in loss to Browns over intentional grounding decision?
As Michael David Smith noted for Pro Football Talk, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters shortly after Sunday's 26-24 season-opening loss to the Cleveland Browns that he believed Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett should've been penalized for intentional grounding after he improperly spiked the ball to stop the clock with 13 seconds remaining in regulation:
Flags were thrown but were ultimately picked up, and Browns rookie placekicker Cade York converted a game-winning 58-yard field goal.
It turns out Rhule was probably right.
According to Mike Florio of PFT, the end-zone camera angle proves Brissett pumped the ball toward the ground before he stepped back. Per NFL rules, that made him ineligible to spike the ball without earning an intentional grounding penalty that would've resulted in a 10-second runoff and pushed York's attempt back by 10 yards.
"A player under center is permitted to stop the game clock legally to save time if, immediately upon receiving the snap, he begins a continuous throwing motion and throws the ball directly into the ground," reads a portion of the rule in question shared by Florio. "A passer, after delaying his passing action for strategic purposes, is prohibited from throwing the ball to the ground in front of him, even though he is under no pressure from defensive rusher(s)."
One can only wonder if Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski would've trusted his 21-year-old kicker to deliver from 68 yards out or instead would've had Brissett attempt a Hail-Mary pass. Either way, what's done is done, and the 1-0 Browns are preparing to face the 0-1 New York Jets in Cleveland's home opener this coming Sunday.
That same afternoon, the 0-1 Panthers will play at the 1-0 New York Giants.
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