CLEVELAND — Facing a fourth-and-nine at the Los Angeles Rams' 40-yard line and trailing 17-13 with 9:19 still remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cleveland Browns' play call seemed obvious.
Or so it seemed.
But rather than punt the ball and pin the Rams back in their own territory with nine minutes still remaining in the game, Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens curiously opted to go for a fourth down conversion.
Even more curiously: Kitchens opted for a draw play, which ultimately resulted in running back Nick Chubb being stopped for a 2-yard gain, turning the ball back over to the Rams at their own 38-yard line.
Nine players later, Los Angeles kicker Greg Zuerlein was converting a 37-yard field goal, to push the Rams' lead to 20-13.
It didn't take long for social media to tee off on the Browns' playcall, which according to ESPN's Jake Trotter was the first draw play on 4th-and-9 or longer to be called since such data began being tracked in 2007. As boos rained down at FirstEnergy Stadium, social media was quick to criticize Kitchens for the unconventional playcall.
Upon getting the ball back, the Browns following the Rams' field goal, Cleveland was then forced to punt out of its own end zone after a pair of Los Angeles sacks.
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