Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) is introduced before the game between the Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

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Jameis Winston’s Intentional Grounding No-Call: Did the Referees called the play right ?

A controversial call from the referees have probably changed the outcome of the game

During Thursday night’s game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns quarterback Jameis Winston at the center of the controversy.

With less than two minutes left in the game and Cleveland fighting to stay alive, officials didn’t flagged Winston for intentional grounding on a play that could have shifted the outcome.

The decision has led to questions about how the NFL rulebook is applied in high-pressure situations.

The Play in Question

Facing third and two from the Steelers’ 25-yard line with exactly two minutes remaining, Winston dropped back to pass.

Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen broke free on a blitz, forcing Winston into a hurried decision. As Queen closed in, Winston attempted to throw the ball away to avoid a sack, but the pass landed on offensive lineman’s hand.

I’ve watched this 20 times and I still have no clue how this wasn’t intentional grounding. pic.twitter.com/NjIDtnkQCo
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) November 22, 2024

Officials didn’t rule the play as intentional grounding, a decision that could have pushed the Browns back to the 38-yard line and set up a daunting fourth-and-15 scenario.

As the officials have not called grounding, the Browns have faced a more manageable fourth down, keeping their chances of a game-winning play alive.

The intentional grounding rule specifies that:

“Intentional grounding shall not be called if the passer initiates his passing motion toward an eligible receiver and is significantly affected by physical contact from a defensive player, causing the pass to land in an area not in the direction and vicinity of an eligible receiver.”

Jameis Winston intentional grounding : Examining the Call

In this instance, the officials decided that Winston’s throw was significantly impacted by Queen’s contact.

Instead, they interpreted the throw not as an attempt to avoid a loss of yardage, without a realistic chance of connecting with a receiver.

But when you look at the play, Winston is about to get sacked and just throw the ball away. He doesn’t seem to, at least, try to find an eligible receiver.

Of course this kind of play is subject to subjectivity and controversy and the pool report will probably bring some vision on that particular play.

Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Cleveland Browns

Jmaeis Winston

Charles Taudin

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Global Editorial Chief of The Playoffs, I created The Free Agent, which became The Playoffs FR, in 2020 during the pandemic. A longtime fan of the four major American sports, I now oversee the editorial strategy and social media for all versions of The Playoffs. I still occasionally write about sports I’m particularly passionate about, such as the NFL or MLB. If there’s one thing you should remember: Eli Manning is the true GOAT for beating Tom Brady twice.