Controversial Cowboys vs. Lions Rule Change? NFL Reveals ‘Eligible Receiver’ Plan
The Detroit Lions roar, but the NFL sleeps tonight.
Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the league has no plans to adjust its on-field procedure of reporting eligible receivers to officials. The practice has taken center stage after Saturday's prime time showdown between the Lions and Dallas Cowboys, as referee Brad Allen appeared to misinterpret the intentions of Detroit offensive linemen reporting as eligible for a crucial two-point conversion in the game's dying stages.
"The league views the situation as an effort by the Lions to engage in deception and gamesmanship that backfired," Florio's report declares.
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Prior to the play in question, which partly led to a 20-19 Dallas victory, three Detroit offensive linemen approached Allen. Taylor Decker claimed to be the blocker who reported as eligible and eventually caught the Jared Goff pass that appeared to be the difference in a Detroit comeback. But officials flagged him for illegal touching and later claimed that Dan Skipper was the lineman ruled eligible.
Detroit had two more opportunities to earn the fateful double but fell short on each, allowing the Cowboys to escape with a crucial victory that kept their hopes for an NFC East division title and the home playoff game that comes with it alive. The Lions, on the other hand, saw their bid for a top-two seed evaporate though they will still host their first home playoff since 1993.
Allen's crew, which has overseen several controversial happenings throughout this season, likely won't join Dallas and Detroit for the postseason: reports have surfaced that the group will be downgraded and kept out of the playoff proceedings that kick off in two weeks.
In the meantime, Dallas (11-5) controls its own destiny and will get a chance to wrap up a division title on Sunday against the Washington Commanders (3:25 p.m. CT, Fox).
