Officials Missed Potential Game-Changing Penalty Call Against Browns In Steelers’ Week 4 Loss

NFL officials missed a key hip-drop tackle penalty against the Cleveland Browns during their 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. With 9:28 remaining in the third quarter, Browns defensive lineman Adin Huntington brought down Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on third down, but no flag was thrown. NFL VP of officials Walt Anderson later stated in a league training video that all four elements of an illegal hip-drop tackle were present.

The uncalled penalty resulted in a sack that forced a Pittsburgh punt, which Joe Clark notes prevented the Steelers from advancing into Cleveland territory. Huntington was subsequently fined by the league the following week. Clark argues that while the missed call was an important moment in a three-point loss, the Steelers had multiple opportunities to win and failed to do enough overall.