The Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns clash was a thriller, but the real fireworks came from the sidelines. Missed calls? Check. Questionable decisions? Double check. Social media didn’t hold back, dubbing the crew a blind squad after a series of jaw-dropping blunders that had both teams fuming.
From botched pass interference to phantom penalties, it felt like the refs were playing their own game — and losing.
Fans Fume Over Referee Blunders in Broncos vs. Browns Showdown
The Broncos vs. Browns showdown kept fans glued to their screens, but not for the action alone. Controversial calls, or missed ones, stole the spotlight, igniting a social media firestorm.
NFL Analyst Warren Sharp vented his frustration with a sarcastic jab, asking if the refs left their glasses at home, commenting, “Did they let the crew of blind refs work this game?”
did they let the crew of blind refs work this game pic.twitter.com/UrhynbLRap
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 3, 2024
Another highlighted a blown fourth-down call, noting how an obvious penalty was ignored. “Refs miss another obvious one on 4th down,” they added, summing up the inconsistency that plagued the game.
It wasn’t just one bad call; it was a series of moments that made fans question the officiating standards.
refs miss another obvious one on 4th down pic.twitter.com/z0GvNMvKEi
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 3, 2024
Some couldn’t help but compare the treatment of different quarterbacks. “80-yard penalty if that hit happens on Mahomes,” quipped one user.
80-yard penalty if that hit happens on Mahomes
— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy) December 3, 2024
Meanwhile, others critiqued the officiating crew’s decision to overlook a false start on a pivotal fourth down, with one sarcastically adding, “They missed the false start on 4th down. Good no call.”
The missed facemask penalties on both teams took the frustration to another level. “2 pretty obvious missed calls,” a fan lamented, suggesting the NFL bring in younger refs with sharper eyesight.
Another couldn’t hold back after witnessing a brutal hit that went unflagged: “I can’t even believe how egregious that was. In college that’s an ejection. It’s targeting AND he was defenseless in the first place from being tackled by the other guy. What a joke.”
The game’s intensity was matched only by the fury of fans, who are demanding accountability from the NFL. With stakes so high and playoff races heating up, every call — or missed call — counts.
If officiating remains this shaky, the league might need to huddle up and rethink its game plan as it seems the officiating is the primary subject of discussion game after game — especially in prime time.
What Else Happened in the Browns vs. Broncos Matchup?
Cleveland Browns WR Jerry Jeudy didn’t just return to Denver — he owned them. In his first game back at Empower Field at Mile High after his trade to the Browns, Jeudy made sure the Broncos knew exactly what they were missing.
Down 28-17 in the third quarter, Jeudy hauled in a 70-yard TD from Jameis Winston, and just when you thought it was over, he turned it up a notch. As he hit the end zone, he hit the crowd with a high step, paused, and then dramatically flopped backward into the paint, practically daring the boos to come. And come they did.
JERRY JEUDY IS HAVING A NIGHT. 70 YARDS ON THIS ONE.
📺: #CLEvsDEN on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/D5UWftz6ca— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2024
With six catches for 167 yards and that jaw-dropping TD, Jeudy wasn’t done. He followed up with a clutch two-point conversion that had the Broncos’ defense reeling.
In case anyone missed it on the broadcast, his pre-game words were crystal clear: “My feelings? I just want to go back up there and whip their ass,” he said. “You always want to beat the opposing team that you used to play for, y ou know, that’s just the competitive nature of us athletes.”
With a final stat line of nine catches for 235 yards and the score, the mission was definitely accomplished.