Kevin Stefanski on the poor challenge flag decision: ‘I should know better there’

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski had a wonderful debut season in Cleveland. He’s a leading contender for NFL coach of the year as a rookie head man for good reason. But Stefanski made a costly coaching gaffe down the stretch that severely cost his Browns in the 22-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round.

Early in the fourth quarter and on the first play from scrimmage following a Browns touchdown that shaved the Chiefs lead to five, Chiefs QB Chad Henne threw a pass to WR Tyreek Hill. With Browns CB Denzel Ward draped all over him, Hill somehow managed to make an acrobatic catch, pinning the ball against his leg as it slid toward the ground. It was a clear catch; the ball never touched the ground despite looking awkward.

Stefanski threw his challenge flag anyway. His view of the action was obscured with Hill’s back to him on the play. The wideout enthusiastically applauded as soon as he saw the red flag leave Stefanski’s hand.

Official Clay Martin confirmed the ruling of “catch” that was on the field, and the Browns lost a timeout as a result. That lost chance to stop the clock proved lethal late in the game when the Browns defense needed a stop.

Stefanski took the blame in his postgame press conference.

“That’s on me. I should know better there,” Stefanski said sternly.

Noting that “we’re going to share in this defeat like we share in those victories,” Stefanski was proud of how his team fought to come back and expressed disappointment “at the finality of losing in the playoffs”.