Late in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Baron Browning hit quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson just as the ball was released on an incomplete pass that would have resulted in 4th-and-12 if not for a late flag.
Officials deemed the hit roughing the passer and penalized Browning, resulting in a first down for the Browns. It was a brutal hit that knocked DTR out of the game with a head injury, but many fans viewed it as a legal play.
After the game, Broncos coach Sean Payton downplayed the controversial call by sidestepping a question about it.
“Those guys worked hard — the officiating crew,” Payton said after an eventual 29-12 win. “They’re tasked with a difficult job. Some of those calls are difficult to make. They have a challenge — they happen so quickly. They had good dialogue.
“[I’ve] worked with a bunch of those guys over the years. I felt like it was good communication. That’s kind of where it was at. It kind of goes back and forth — you get some, sometimes you don’t. They did a good job of communicating everything.”
Payton’s diplomatic answer might not have been so diplomatic if the Browns came back to win. Browning didn’t have much to say about the penalty after the game.
“I didn’t think it was a dirty hit, but they called it,” Browning said. “So what can I do about it?”
Fortunately, Denver’s defense recovered a fumble two plays after the penalty.
“I think it just shows our demeanor and attitude,” Browning said. “We can’t control everything, but what we can control is our response. We responded and got a turnover.”
Twitter/X had mixed reactions to the penalty on Sunday.
Baron Browning hit DTR in his shoulder, No Helmet 2 Helmet contact but the refs still flagged him. CMON FAM, What Are We Doing! Can someone, anyone explain how do you play defense in today’s league. No Shade, just trying to figure it out #BroncosCountry #DENvsCLE 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/0gmCgjXynW
— Nick Ferguson (@NickFerguson_25) November 27, 2023
For all those saying Baron Browning did not launch himself at DTR, this screenshot shows he clearly left his feet and launched. Not saying I love the rule, but it is the rule. Not taking a side here, just educating folks why the call was made. pic.twitter.com/uZRPMmcwNR
— Chad Brown (@chadbrown94) November 26, 2023
Baron Browning robbed. This game is stupid.
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) November 26, 2023
COME ON… That flag was thrown a LIFETIME after Baron Browning made that hit..
Yes, that was a HUGE hit – but it looked like a clean hit…
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) November 26, 2023
Is Baron Browning supposed to play flag football? pic.twitter.com/6rTWVbbUyL
— Eli Hershkovich (@EliHershkovich) November 26, 2023
Mark sanchez: “No launch”
As baron browning clearly launches 😂 pic.twitter.com/159s7F0Gup
— Coach Ramone Conley (@ramoneconley) November 26, 2023
this was a TEXTBOOK play from Baron Browning.
-led with shoulder ✅
-hit DTR in chest ✅
-didn’t land on him ✅A flag was thrown for roughing the passer 😹pic.twitter.com/bcoxQsHezN
— Prop Geek Zeke📚 (@PropGeekZeke) November 26, 2023
That’s a stunningly bad call on Baron Browning. Abominable. #BroncosCountry
— Shawn Drotar (@sdrotar) November 26, 2023
That hit was visceral so I'm not surprised Baron Browning drew a flag from these refs.
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) November 26, 2023
I still don’t see what the penalty was.
Baron Browning didn’t hit the head or neck.
He couldn’t be called for launching, since he still had a foot on the ground when he made contact.
Only took one step.
The helmet is slightly dipped I guess?
pic.twitter.com/JPwEKL9MpB— Henry Chisholm (@HenryChisholm) November 27, 2023
Baron Browning just killed DTR…that’s about as big a hit on a QB as you’ll see anymore. Flag flew quickly.
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) November 26, 2023
Still a terrrrible call. Wtf was Baron Browning suppose to do??????!!! https://t.co/c1fehSHcbo
— T Always in Pain (@geonnathantah) November 27, 2023
The Broncos are 5-0 since Browning returned from the reserve/physically unable to perform list. The 24-year-old pass rusher has totaled 13 tackles, five quarterback hits and three sacks over the last five weeks.
