INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Irsay is calling for change after a pair of controversial penalties appeared to cost the Indianapolis Colts a win Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
In a post Tuesday night on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Colts' owner said the league "admits and understands that they did not make the correct calls" at the end of Indianapolis' 39-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Irsay said he believes the NFL should institute instant replay for all calls made by officials, including penalties, during the final two minutes of every game.
A pair of penalties against Darrel Baker Jr. in the final minute of Sunday's game gave Cleveland new life.
First, with the Browns facing third-and-4 from the Colts' 13-yard line with 47 seconds left, Cleveland quarterback P.J. Walker dropped back to pass, but was hit by E.J. Speed and fumbled as he tried to throw. DeForest Buckner fell on the ball, apparently sealing a Colts win.
But a flag was thrown around the 5-yard line for illegal contact by Baker on Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper, who collided with the defensive back on his way to the end zone.
The penalty gave Cleveland a first down at the Indianapolis 8-yard line.
On the next play, Walker threw to the corner of the end zone for Donovan Peoples-Jones, but Baker was called for pass interference on the play. Replays showed Baker grabbing onto Peoples-Jones' arm, but Colts defenders and head coach Shane Steichen argued that the pass was not catchable by the Browns receiver, which would have negated the flag.
The ball was placed on the 1-yard line for the Browns offense, who finally — and barely — cracked the goal line on a Kareem Hunt run on fourth down with 15 seconds remaining.
Steichen did not comment on the penalties after the game, saying he would have to review game video. He is scheduled to speak to the media Wednesday morning.
The loss dropped Indianapolis to 3-4 on the season, two games behind AFC South-leading Jacksonville, who has already beaten the Colts twice.
The Colts host New Orleans Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.