Zebra shenanigans

 You'll have to talk a long time to sell me on the latest conspiracy theory in Indianapolis, which is that the NFL had it out for the Colts yesterday because it wanted the Browns to win.

I mean, the Cowboys, I could see. One of the New York teams, maybe. I could even buy the Bears if it hadn't been almost 40 years since they'd done anything besides trip over their own feet.

If the league really has been pushing them, that's some epic ineffectiveness right there. 

But the Browns? Cleveland? You mean the city the NFL thought so much of they let Art Modell abandon it?

Uh, no. Must be another reason the Colts got hosed not once but a couple of times on the Browns' winning drive yesterday.

I've seen the main hose-ery in question, and, yeah, it's pretty damn egregious. P.J. Walker threw a souvenir to the fans beyond the end zone and the Colts' Darrell Baker Jr. was nicked for pass interference for grabbing the arm of Donovan Peoples-Jones, the intended receiver.

Or at least, he was allegedly the intended receiver. Considering the trajectory of the pass, it might have been Yuri Gagarin. Or maybe Neil Armstrong was open up there in the Sea of Tranquility. They were the only ones who could possibly have made a play on the ball.

So, yeah, the Browns got a gimme first-and-goal, and then Kareem Hunt plowed into the end zone with 15 seconds to play, and we wound up with Browns 39, Colts 38 instead of Colts 38, Browns 33. And everyone in Indy began screaming they got robbed because of the absurd call in the end zone, and also the maybe pass interference call on Baker a play earlier that wiped out a strip sack and fumble recovery for the Colts.

I haven't seen that play. But people I know to have level heads in these matters say Baker did get a bit grabby trying to stop Amari Cooper in the end zone. 

So let's call that one borderline. And let's also point out that neither happens if the Colts don't let the Browns get close enough to be throwing the ball into end zone to begin with.

They took over possession at their own 20 with 2:35 to play. Two incomplete passes brought up third-and-10. Make the stop there, and it's over.

Instead, the Colts gave up a 30-yard completion to midfield. 

Then they gave up a 13-yard run to the Colts 37.

Then they gave up a 17-yard completion to the 19.

There was still 1:36 to play when that happened. Which means the Colts had yielded 61 yards in less than a minute.

And, yes, then the shenanigans happened, and it wasn't the first time. NFL officiating has always been less than stellar, and not just when the Colts are playing the Browns. A bit later Sunday, the Rams got hosed on an egregiously awful spot that gave the Steelers a first down enroute to a 24-17 victory. 

According to those who saw it, Kenny Pickett came up about half a continent short on fourth down. But the spot said "First down, Steelers."

So, yeah. It doesn't just happen to the Colts. 

Although you'd play hell trying to convince anyone in Indianapolis today.