NFL refs protect Deshaun Watson with awful roughing the passer call (Video)

Because surely, Deshaun Watson deserves our protection. The Browns QB was the benefit of a Grade A makeup call on Sunday afternoon.

The officiating crew in Week 18’s Steelers-Browns game have been lackluster, to say the least.

On the first drive of the game, they missed a clear Najee Harris touchdown which was instead called down at the one-yard line. Harris would fumble just two plays later.

Then, they missed an obvious facemask by Cameron Heyward on Deshaun Watson. Heyward twisted Watson’s helmet back in front of the officials, who somehow kept the flag in their pocket.

Evidently, they were made aware of this brutal decision-making, and had to even the score shortly thereafter. Protecting Watson was top priority.

Steelers and Browns suffer from horrible officiating

A game with postseason aspirations — at least for one side in Pittsburgh — deserved higher-quality officiating than it’s received. The Steelers remain a longshot to make the playoffs, but there’s still a chance.

If Pittsburgh were to win, they need the following to happen to make the postseason:

1. New York Jets must defeat the Miami Dolphins
2. Buffalo Bills must defeat the New England Patriots

The likelihood of all three events happening…are not high, though all three games were close heading into the fourth quarter.

Deshaun Watson making strides to end season for Browns

While Watson could not play until well into the second half of the season, he’s starting to get his groove back, albeit with Cleveland out of the postseason race. For the Browns, this year was about preparing for the next, and they’ve done so with their franchise quarterback — for better or worse.

The AFC North has some very capable signal-callers heading into 2023, with Joe Burrow, Watson, Pickett and Lamar Jackson (depending on a contract extension) leading the way.