'No (Bleeping) Way!' Did Cowboys Beat Detroit? Or Did Refs Screw Lions on 2-Point Conversion?
The Dallas Cowboys are celebrating after a 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions, but it doesn't come without a little bit of controversy - a late-game call or two that might have Cowboys folks who believe the officials are "always against us'' rethinking their position.
The Lions scored a touchdown with 23 seconds left to cut the deficit to one, but coach Dan Campbell's aggressive nature kept the offense out to take the lead instead of an extra point to tie.
On the play, quarterback Jared Goff throws what appears to be a completion to offensive lineman Taylor Decker. The Lions should have the lead at this point, but a flag is thrown for an illegal touching penalty on Decker.
As an offensive lineman, you have to report as eligible to the referee in order to catch a pass on any given play. The referees claimed that Decker didn't report and gave the Lions a five-yard penalty, negating the play.
But video evidence may suggest that the Cowboys got away with this one ...
In the two clips above, ESPN captures video of Goff directing Decker to report as eligible to the referee. Then, in the bottom clip, it appears that Penei Sewell (#58) and Decker (#68) motion to the referee to make them eligible for the play. It's announced that Dan Skipper (#70, who runs late into the frame) is eligible, but not Decker.
"No (bleeping) way!'' Campbell yelped on the sideline after the call.
Former NFL offensive lineman Mark Schlereth offered his perspective of the play on social media.
"They just showed it and it sure looks like the ref messed up! He’s talking to Decker and Sewell as Skipper runs in, who never gets to the ref to report," Schlereth tweeted. "So I think Decker was the one reporting but the ref is seeing Skipper running in and announces it as Skipper."
Coach Campbell offered his take on the play after the game, even claiming that he explained the play to referees before the game in case it came up.
"Two people can't report," Campbell said. "I don't want to talk about it."
Skipper also claimed he did not report as eligible to the referee postgame.
With all the video evidence, it certainly looks like there was an error and the Cowboys caught a break, one that may shake up the entire NFC playoff picture.
With tonight's win, the Cowboys improve to 11-5 and get a chance at the NFC East division title next week. They also earn the tiebreaker over the 11-5 Lions. Dallas will now be seeded higher than Detroit if both teams win the division ... certainly not the best time to make such a mistake.
