It was a huge hit, the kind which brings a visceral reaction from players, fans and officials alike.
It was also clean.
Per multiple reports, Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner was not fined by the league for last week’s hit on Chargers tight end Ladarius Green.
Green did suffer a concussion on the play after taking a big fall, but it wasn’t because Browner struck him helmet-to-helmet, as officials called it in the heat of the moment on the field.
Instead, it appeared to be a clean, shoulder pad-level tackle, which coach Bill Belichick said was how they teach their players to play.
As we’ve mentioned here several times, it’s the kind of play that needs to be subject to review, because it could have had a huge impact on the game. The penalty took an interception off the board, though the Patriots got another one moments later.
But the fact there was no harm does not change the fact there should have been no foul.