3 plays that changed the game in Browns loss to Bengals

Browns game-changing play No. 2: Tony Fields roughing the kicker penalty

Cleveland’s defense started out by forcing a punt on a three-and-out, which meant they continued to have success against Joe Burrow. That kept rolling on the next few drives as well as they forced two more punts while giving up just 37 yards on those two possessions combined.

On the fourth defensive series, it appeared they were again going to be successful as they forced a third-and-15, and Myles Garrett batted a pass down that was intended for Samaje Perine. That meant Drue Chrisman was back to punt it away again — and with him kicking from his own 17, Cleveland was about to get solid field position.

That never happened though as Tony Fields II was called for roughing the kicker, which is a 15-yard penalty, and gave Cincinnati the first down. More issues followed on that drive as Burrow went deep for Ja’Marr Chase, who drew a pass interference on Denzel Ward, giving them another 33 yards for free.

Four plays later, Burrow hit Chase from 15 yards out for the first touchdown of the game. Again, they picked on Ward as he never saw the ball. While those plays were bad, they never would have happened if Fields isn’t called for the penalty. And who knows how different the momentum would be had the defense actually gotten off the field and continued to frustrate Burrow.