4 Browns whose stock crashed in heartbreaking loss to Chiefs

2. Officiating

Fans will be asking “What if?” until fall as Rashard Higgins fumbling at the goal line will be a nightmare for months to come.

The officials clearly blew a helmet-to-helmet shot on Higgins, as the hit he took caused him to fumble into the end zone, with the ball rolling out of bounds.

Coach Kevin Stefanski admitted fault on the play after the game, telling media that players shouldn’t stretch in that scenario because it increases the risk of a fumble. He also defended Higgins for taking an illegal hit.

The Browns challenged the call on the field of a fumble, so the officials in New York watching the replay got to see the hit as much as the viewing audience.

And for a league that’s grandstanding over player health, it’s inexcusable a flag wasn’t thrown.

However, and hang with me here: These calls even themselves out. Remember, it was just one week ago, when one of the Browns’ linemen clocked Ben Roethlisberger in the head, but the official’s view was picked by another player.

Cleveland got the no-call and helped stave off the Steelers when the Browns really needed a stop.

Bottom lining it: It stinks when it goes against you, but these calls level out.

That said, in the bigger picture, the league should be able to review these helmet-to-helmet hits, especially if owners and executives across the league are going to preach about player safety.