Deshaun Watson’s facemask penalty was so obvious, and ref standing right there missed it
Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns are looking for anything to hang their hat on early in the 2026 season. Watson’s year started off to a poor start with tons of training camp interceptions, preseason press conference meltdowns, and a pick on his very first drive of the season. The Browns earned a nice win […]
The Cleveland Browns start their 2026 season with a significant setback as Deshaun Watson faces a controversial facemask penalty during a crucial third-down play. The penalty, which should have been called by a referee watching the action closely, goes unnoticed as Watson is tackled by Carolina EDGE Princely Umanmielen. Watson’s season has already been marred by a series of early struggles, including a high number of interceptions in training camp and a pregame conference meltdown.
Despite these challenges, the Browns managed to secure a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. As they prepare for their next matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, the missed call on Watson’s facemask penalty adds to the frustration for the team. The ref’s failure to spot such an obvious infraction highlights the pressure on the Browns, especially with their defense already performing well against a Carolina offense that started the season strong.
As the season progresses, any perceived unfair advantages due to such calls could become a major concern for both Watson and the Browns’ coaching staff.
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