Bottlegate

==Events of the play==

==Events of the play==

{{external media

| float = right

| caption = Video of play and aftermath from official "NFL Throwback" channel

| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_acseQm0Ws The Bottlegate Game is Pure ANARCHY! - Crazy Endings], from official account [https://www.youtube.com/@NFLVault NFL Throwback]

}}

Trailing 15–10 with 1:08 remaining in regulation, the Browns were driving deep into Jaguars territory, looking for a potential go-ahead score. Cleveland was faced with a 4th down and 2 at the Jacksonville 12 yard line. Since they had already used all of their time-outs, the Browns needed to convert, or else the Jaguars could simply [[Quarterback kneel|kneel the ball]] twice and end the game. Quarterback [[Tim Couch]] took the snap and passed it short to wide receiver [[Quincy Morgan]], who caught the ball for a 3-yard gain and a first down but appeared to bobble it as he fell to the ground. Despite this, the officials called it a complete pass for a crucial first down with 1:03 remaining.{{cite AV media|author=Ramen Robbie|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePyioRZNABc|title=Cleveland Browns Bottlegate|date=October 21, 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=December 6, 2023}} Realizing the call was questionable, Couch wasted no time hurrying the offense to the line of scrimmage, starting the next play with only 0:50 left on the clock. He took the snap and appeared to pump his arm twice; Couch then [[Spike (gridiron football)|spiked]] the ball with 0:48 remaining to stop the clock.

Trailing 15–10 with 1:08 remaining in regulation, the Browns were driving deep into Jaguars territory, looking for a potential go-ahead score. Cleveland was faced with a 4th down and 2 at the Jacksonville 12 yard line. Since they had already used all of their time-outs, the Browns needed to convert, or else the Jaguars could simply [[Quarterback kneel|kneel the ball]] twice and end the game. Quarterback [[Tim Couch]] took the snap and passed it short to wide receiver [[Quincy Morgan]], who caught the ball for a 3-yard gain and a first down but appeared to bobble it as he fell to the ground. Despite this, the officials called it a complete pass for a crucial first down with 1:03 remaining.{{cite AV media|author=Ramen Robbie|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePyioRZNABc|title=Cleveland Browns Bottlegate|date=October 21, 2018|website=YouTube|access-date=December 6, 2023}} Realizing the call was questionable, Couch wasted no time hurrying the offense to the line of scrimmage, starting the next play with only 0:50 left on the clock. He took the snap and appeared to pump his arm twice; Couch then [[Spike (gridiron football)|spiked]] the ball with 0:48 remaining to stop the clock.

Bottlegate was later cited as part of a lawsuit filed by [[New Orleans Saints]] fans against the NFL officials following another controversial officiating decision during the [[2018 NFC Championship Game]], in which an apparent [[pass interference]] penalty was not called.

Bottlegate was later cited as part of a lawsuit filed by [[New Orleans Saints]] fans against the NFL officials following another controversial officiating decision during the [[2018 NFC Championship Game]], in which an apparent [[pass interference]] penalty was not called.

NFL's throwback YouTube channel uploaded the entire incident in late 2023.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_acseQm0Ws

==Starting lineups==

==Starting lineups==