The Browns nearly pulled within one score of the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half of Sunday's AFC Divisional Round playoff game, but a fumble at the goal line cost Cleveland a touchdown.
Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins caught a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield and ran toward the pylon on the right side of the end zone. He reached out to stretch the ball across the goal line and it was jarred loose when Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen hit him.
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The ball went out of bounds through the end zone for a touchback -- giving KC the ball and halting what looked like a very promising drive for Cleveland.
The Chiefs took the ball and ultimately kicked another field goal. Instead of potentially trailing 16-10 at halftime, the Browns went into the locker room down 19-3.
A couple New England Patriots players reacted on Twitter to Higgins' fumble, including veteran safety Devin McCourty.
Patriots defensive back Adrian Phillips chimed in, too.
McCourty is right -- you don't see too many Patriots players reaching for the pylon at the goal line and risking a touchback. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick always drives home the fundamentals, and putting the ball in harm's way goes against that.
The rule also doesn't make a lot of sense in general. Forcing a team to give up the ball because it was fumbled through the end zone is too harsh of a punishment. This rule is one that the league's competition committee should look at tweaking in the offseason.