Overview
- A roughing-the-passer flag on Panthers linebacker Bobby Okereke nullified Akayleb Evans’s interception late in the fourth quarter and kept the Browns’ drive alive for Deshaun Watson’s 14-yard touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. and a successful two-point conversion.
- Panthers coach Dave Canales said he saw contact to Watson’s head on the play and criticized defenders for failing to make a snap judgment once the ball was in the air.
- Okereke publicly accepted responsibility, saying he was trying to avoid head or neck contact and must be smarter in that situation rather than leave the outcome to officials.
- Some Panthers players accused Watson of embellishing the contact to draw the flag while Watson said he stayed down to catch his breath and denied a head hit.
- Beyond the penalty, Carolina had earlier missed turnover chances and has shown recurring trouble containing mobile quarterbacks, issues the team plans to address as it moves forward.