“Sunday night football” is no stranger to some of the biggest moments of the week. In the first quarter of the AFC North clash between the Browns and Ravens, it delivered one of the strangest.
The Ravens thought they had caught the first ball on a mock hit, but the official ruled that they had cracked the ball before it was ready. They then tried to make a move to convert from the fourth leg, but the Browns had too many players on the field and called time out. After the timeout ran out, Raven played another game, and this time, they had to receive their first defeat because the Browns put 12 players on again, and this time without knowing it.
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Baltimore started driving on its own 25th with 4:02 left in the first, but couldn’t move far enough, instead seemingly ending up driving at its own 33-yard line. Instead of closing in, however, they had a direct hit on Anthony Levine, who darted forward and looked to be the first to knock.
But officials ruled that the play took place before the ball was set.
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Determined to try to let it in fourth down, Raven removed the offense and started running a play, but a whistle and a flag sounded. The Browns are reorganizing to try to move defenses out and unit task forces out, and according to officials, they call a timeout before the game begins.
But then, even after all, the Browns sent 12 men onto the field. As soon as the Crows begin their game, the flag is raised, the Browns are judged for punishment and the Ravens are accepted to take the first kill. They ended their run with a goal on the field with only 28 seconds left in the first half to lead 3-0.
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Worse still, the Browns suffered a penalty in the next game when they were only 10 men on the field for the second leg, and the number 11 didn’t go into the right area. The Ravens refused the punishment.
