Lions Lose in Dallas on Botched Call
Putting up a new thread and sharing the base information because a previous thread needed to be taken down.
Last night the NFL franchise with twice as many flagrantly controversial calls against them as the rest of the league combined picked up another that profoundly changes the Playoff picture.
Long versions of the events are available all over the internet. The short version is the Lions went for two after closing to within 1 point with a 2-minute drill touchdown and appeared to complete the conversion on a lob to LT Taylor Decker, who had reported as eligible. Unfortunately for the Lions the ref thought a different lineman had reported as eligible, gave the defense the wrong number. As of last night the referee in question was still falsely claiming the wrong lineman had reported. Due to the mix-up the officials flagged Detroit for an illegal formation and illegal touching.
Official sticking to his story, but there’s no way in hell Goff grabbed Taylor Decker by the arm, directed him to report, Decker went to official, official looked at him, and the Lions threw to Decker…but Decker didn’t report. It’s illogical. What’s logical is a ref being wrong. pic.twitter.com/VGP7cPoRH8
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) December 31, 2023
Video evidence shows the Lions handled it correctly:
ESPN just showed another angle. Jared Goff literally sends Taylor Decker and tells him to report as eligible. I mean…. Wow. https://t.co/5rJoI0AcJT pic.twitter.com/vuyQCmnJkY
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 31, 2023
Decker went up to the referee and reported himself an eligible receiver on the play. Dan Campbell claims he discussed the play with the officials before the game, and the other lineman says he never reported. Had the correct lineman been reported as eligible on the play the Lions were in a legal formation and the play would have counted.
Also every ref in the league has a history of questionable calls so it's not particularly relevant that this one does. Also also the Lions tried twice more for the conversion (the first after taking the penalty drew an offsides) and failed, and many more events in this game, including the Cowboys losing a fumble out of the endzone and Jourdan Lewis being absolutely boss, and a 92-yard touchdown that could have been a safety greatly influenced the outcome.
December 31st, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
How many eligible receivers is an offense allowed on any given play?
EDIT: NVM on this, I looked it up and it is a loaded question, as I thought it might be.
December 31st, 2023 at 3:42 PM ^
It's not really controversial. Based on alignment, you have up to 6 including the QB. The weird part is some numbers, which OL wear, are ineligible regardless of alignment unless you report to the ref.
December 31st, 2023 at 9:29 AM ^
For sure, the Lions have brought a lot of misery on themselves over the years. But too often, bad things happen to them they don't deserve. And last night was another great example of the Lions curse.
December 31st, 2023 at 9:30 AM ^
Thanks for this post, as it clarifies the situation. On the video, it looks like Decker and someone else from the Lions walk up to the ref (followed a bit later by #70 of the Lions). The ref runs away after a split second, so if there was a miscommunication, it seems likely to have been on the ref's part. I'm guessing the ref knew ahead of time about the plan, and so he figured it didn't need to listen closely to the report by Decker or the other guy. He assumed he already knew the details but it turned out different than he thought in advance.
I'd like to hear Decker or the other Lion's take on this.
December 31st, 2023 at 9:46 AM ^
Decker said that he reported to the ref and the ref said he didn't. He also said that he didn't want to say much because he didn't want to get in trouble. I mean, if a multi-millionaire player is worried about a $10K fine and a stern talking-to, I have nothing else for you...
December 31st, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
Decker probably said - "Ref, I'm reporting eligible on this play."
The ref's interpretation - "Yeah, I know - #70 (Skipper) reported as eligible on other plays this game - and, I assume #70 is now eligible on this play."
The point / difference is - it wasn't #70 reporting as eligible, it was # 68 (Decker).
December 31st, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
#58 (Sewell), #68 (Decker), and then #70 (Skipper) all approached the official (Allen), (whether that was to confuse Dallas players or coaches or what, I don't know), who seemed in a hurry to escape them.. Presumably Decker said "I'm reporting as eligible" and Allen (from fatigue?) lost concentration and thought that it was Skipper who said he was reporting eligible, as he had apparently done before in the game.
Then the Lions lined up in an unbalanced formation (how the broadcast crew missed this point), with no TE or SE outside of Decker, and a wing off the LOS, while Sewell and Skipper were both covered.
December 31st, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
YES, I believe that the Lions purposely had 3 linemen in the refs face to confuse the Cowboys. There's no other reason to have Sewell and Skipper over there. You gotta think that they knew better than to have all 3 talking to the ref and/or reporting as eligible, so I believe that Decker reported but the confusion they created also confused the ref.
December 31st, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
"Also confused the ref" - if Decker says - "Ref, I'm reporting as eligible on this play" - where can there be any confusion?
Perhaps, the ref "assumed" that since Skipper had reported earlier in the game that Skipper was reporting on this play as well. However, that does NOT appear to be what happened.
The official "assumed" something - which appears to be incorrect. Or, the official wasn't listening.
From what I gathered in various comments - it seems like the official felt Skipper was reporting, not Decker.
December 31st, 2023 at 12:46 PM ^
I just think that having 3 guys involved in the refs face doesn't help him to keep it straight, it's a hindrance. Why are they doing it other than to create confusion? It's not an excuse for the ref to screw it up, it just may have contributed to it. He still needs to get it right. They said all of these same things on NFL Countdown.
December 31st, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
Your mostly correct, but Skipper DID NOT report. That is DUMBASS ALLEN side of the story. Watch the aftermath of the play. There is one shot on Skipper who clearly yelling back at the ref...
"YOU FUCKED UP!!!!"
I find it interesting that the director knew to have a camera on Skipper as there was no verbal announcement of who was eligible.
I am guessing that the director heard one of the field mic pick up DUMBASS ALLEN and that tipped him off to get a camera on Skipper...
But lets be clear, Skipper:
A) Was 20 yards away from Allen as he was jogging on the field...
B) Gave ZERO indication he was the eligible lineman (ie he did NOT brush his numbers to Allen as he was jogging onto the field)
c) Decker is standing RIGHT IN FRONT of Allen brushing the front of his jersey....
December 31st, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^
When you coach this, you call this several times in a game. I wouldn't doubt that 70 claimed eligibility several times over the course of this game - to dull the DL's senses. IDK if that is true; it doesn't make it right... just trying to understand how this could happen.
December 31st, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
I did not watch the game--don't need that sort of stress on my heart as I'm saving it for Monday--but I was following along on the game tracker on my phone. I KNEW immediately what had happened and that the refs had botched the call when I read the play description, just because it was the Lions vs. the NFL Refs and Dallas. Probably every other Lions fan like myself who has been one since the 1960s in the same situation knew it, too. Just the way it is.
December 31st, 2023 at 12:04 PM ^
I don't watch NFL often. That was a fantastic game. Don't cheat yourself this year with the Lions - they are bringing it. Real team effort.
December 31st, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
Over the years, there have been MANY botched calls against the Lions.
Why should they stop now?
December 31st, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
Earlier in the season I noted (to myself) that these couldn't be the SOL because they weren't getting screwed by the refs on a weekly basis. Apparently this ref team didn't get the memo, or the memo isn't valid in dallas.
December 31st, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
It’s either incompetence or corruption. Neither is good
December 31st, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
Referees make mistakes but they need to be held accountable for it publicly as well as privately. The NBA releases those late-game reports about mistakes and own up to them, and it makes the overall process feel a bit more human and understandable. This ref made a mistake and it contributed to Detroit losing the game, and so just own it and stop trying to look like an idiot.
December 31st, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^
Pretty much every single professional has to answer for their mistakes . . . except refs. It’s infuriating.
I’d even be fine if they gave a “yep, messed that one up.”
I honestly think refs should had very public PFF-type ratings. Put them up on the TV underneath them when they are on screen. If MSU QBs can deal with their stat lines being made public, 60 year old men can handle it too.
December 31st, 2023 at 12:21 PM ^
Absolutely. Angel Hernandez needs to have the equivalent of 12.5 ERA next to his name every time he missed a clear ball or strike for the 18th time that game.
Also, I still remember Jim Joyce admitting after he messed by Galaraga's perfect game with his bad call and owned it after the game immediately. Dude got choked up and then the next day made a point of admitting it again when Galaraga gave him the lineup card. Dude owned his very public mistake and I have way more respect and understanding for it than all these dipshit NFL refs who run away from any controversy and then get privately "downgraded" to less important NFL games. Just own the mistake and people will be happier.
December 31st, 2023 at 11:21 AM ^
You are spot on !! I absolutely do not subscribe to the notion that this was corruption. The referee got confused and made a mistake. But, as you say, he is insulting the intelligence of any fan with eyes and a brain by his post game comments when all evidence plus the comments of Goff, Decker, and Skipper belie his description.
December 31st, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
If Decker reported - and, a flag was thrown. The official could have correctly picked up the flag and stated - "# 68 reported prior to the play and was an eligible receiver. There is no infraction. The two point conversion is good."
December 31st, 2023 at 12:02 PM ^
They couldn't do that because Dumbass Allen told Dallas it was #70. Dallas, correctly, would have been pissed that he screwed up and told them the wrong guy...
Bottom line, Allen F'd up, he realized it as the play went on (Decker went out for the pass and Skipper lined up at guard) and will take it to his grave, but took the cowards way out.
I would give anything to hear the field mic on the refs as the huddled after the play. Geoff was there too, wonder what they were specifically talking about...
December 31st, 2023 at 12:26 PM ^
They couldn't do that because Dumbass Allen told Dallas it was #70. Dallas, correctly, would have been pissed that he screwed up and told them the wrong guy...
They absolutely could have done, it's essentially what actually happened but in reverse. And Detroit, correctly, is pissed because Allen screwed up.
December 31st, 2023 at 12:08 PM ^
Somebody had to have had a parabolic microphone on that, and the conversation with the defensive line. It will come out. I doubt the league will make that public if so, and they own everything done on that field.
December 31st, 2023 at 12:23 PM ^
Even worse is the ref still claimed #70 reported to him as eligible despite very clear video evidence that #70 wasn’t within 5 yards of the ref (while two other Lions were) when the ref left to tell the Defense who reported as eligible.
December 31st, 2023 at 2:11 PM ^
The video shows Allen running away from Decker & Sewell without pausing to listen and before Skipper even gets there. Almost surely, Allen just assumed it was Sklpper without listening, told the Cowboys #70, and was stuck with his mistake.
Go back and look at how Allen receives the information. That's definitely NOT how you listen.
December 31st, 2023 at 2:27 PM ^
A small correction, if I may - Allen wasn't stuck with his mistake - the Lions were stuck with his mistake.
December 31st, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
I've been watching SportsCenter this morning and everyone but the refs are on the Lions side. Now watching NFL Sunday Countdown - Bill Parcells is fucking HOT! He threw the refs completely under the bus - and all the others on the show agree. It is universal that the refs screwed it, and only the NFL's reps are carrying water for the NFL.
The Lions (ie: Sheila Ford-Hamp) needs to be CREAMING about this. Not that it will actually change anything after the fact...
December 31st, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
Parcells was on the show? Or was it Rex Ryan?
December 31st, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
Yeah, Rex Ryan - my bad. I was kinda spun up, too!
December 31st, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
CREAMING?
December 31st, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
LOL!!! Should've been SCREAMING!
December 31st, 2023 at 2:15 PM ^
Forget it. He's rolling.
(Pats self on back for resisting the urge of a 7th grade response.)
December 31st, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
Agreed this was another black eye for NFL "Officials". However, this was textbook of dumbass coaching by both McCarthy and Campbell.
1. McCarthy. What a friggen moron! A 1st year Pop Warner coach would run out the clock, not this boob. Aikman twice referenced the game would've been over. I wouldn't have McCarthy coach a Pop Warner team.
2. Campbell. Yes, they were screwed at end, but should have never been in the situation. Ok, tough guy, the game declared early, a defensive battle not a shoot out. You couldn't covert on 3rd down all game, but hey lets go for it on 4 and 5 2x instead of taking the points.
2 dumbasses on display on the night Jimmy Johnson goes into the Ring of Honor.
December 31st, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
Doesn't the public address announcer make an announcement about who is eligible in the NFL? Did that person say #70 was eligible? If so, the Lions have to take some responsibility for this.
NFL rules and procedures regarding unbalanced formations and eligibility of OL aren't very good in general.
December 31st, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
The play is fuggen dead as soon as the ref biffs it. Lions now have to scramble over to the wiener to correct his mistake before he makes a second announcement, all while the play clock is still running. The play's objective is now entirely compromised and the Lions have zero time to adjust because the dipshit ref can't distinguish between 68 and 70, nor between left tackle and right guard.
December 31st, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
This^^^^^ I seem to recall several times, an official will get on the PA and announce to everyone who is eligible. Unfortunately, had Allen done that, Campbell would still have been pissed because by drawing attention to the fact that Allen is a dumbass Campbell would have only reinforced with Dallas to pay attention to Decker.
The Lions did a slight of hand there by sending Decker, Sewell to the ref at the same time Skipper is jogging on to the field. Skipper is clearly 20 yards away from Allen as Decker and Sewell are STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM!!! So the bottom line is, Allen ASSUMED it was going to be Skipper, didn't hear (or ignored Decker) and went forward.
Don't care for the horseshit excuse from Adam Schaffer, it was not that complicated. A 12 year old could of gotten it correct. The guy standing right in front of you showing the signal that he is eligible is the one that needs to be ID. Not the other guy jogging on the field AND NOT SHOWING THE SIGNAL...
December 31st, 2023 at 12:15 PM ^
The main thing that keeps bugging me is that a player has to report...when the Ref runs away to tell the Dallas D, Schipper hadn't been by him, so how could Schipper have reported?
By the way Allen did it, anyone one the field could report and not go to the ref himself.
December 31st, 2023 at 2:18 PM ^
Yep, Allen needs to brush up on his preschool listening skills. Skipper never gets there, and Allen runs away from Decker & Sewell without pausing to listen.
December 31st, 2023 at 10:57 AM ^
Campbell is an idiot for going for 2 from the 7 yard line.
December 31st, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
Who can forget this classic?
December 31st, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
Or this time when the refs didn't know the rules, and after the game everyone agreed they kicked it. Week 4 MNF game, they lose 13-10. If Calvin just hangs on to the ball...
December 31st, 2023 at 11:05 AM ^
Brad Allen has officiated 6 Lions games, they are 0-6 in these games and had 435 penalty yards to opponents 287
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/officials/AlleBr0r.htm
December 31st, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^
Somebody is winning bets off that prick. Wonder what his going rate is?
December 31st, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^
I just hope that Michigan does not get screwed by bias refs tomorrow night. It seems like we always get some off the wall Brad Allen calls when we play in the Rose Bowl.
December 31st, 2023 at 11:43 AM ^
Adam Sc-whatever his last name is, just this morning, dogged on this particular crew. Pointing out several huge missed calls this season.
He noted that most likely this crew will not be doing any of the playoff games (DUH!!). Doesn't help the Lions here, in the cruel football world, the Cowboys will win the East and Detroit will have to go back to Dallas in round 2 for the Divisional playoff game.
As for Seth noting several other key plays, yes they impacted the game, but at that particular moment, that play cost the game (Yay, yay I know there was 23 seconds left, but I would have rather had the teams determine the final outcome, not the refs). The other plays were in the past at that moment and had nothing to do with the refs. That's how it should be, but the fact that the refs impacted the outcome is the issue. Refs should NEVER have any influence on the outcome.
There is no denying the fact that last night, Allen FUBAR'd and it directly impacted the game... And that's the issue...
December 31st, 2023 at 12:27 PM ^
Refs should NEVER have any influence on the outcome.
Included in this...they should call penalties no matter what the circumstances. Don't swallow the whistle on PI during Hail Mary's, etc. I never want to hear an announcer say "Yeah, that was a penalty but you can't call it in that situation."
December 31st, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
There isn't really much to say. The calls will stand and a loss is what we get. We didn't have to try 3 times. I'm happy we did. I really like that we can be aggressive and see it pay off a lot.
I find it interesting that the games over the past decade or so that have really gotten to me were against Seattle and Dallas. Something about when we play them controversy follows.
Unlike the prior Dal and Sea games I'm thinking of, this team is not the same old Lions.
Also, Hail Yeah Jourdan Lewis!
December 31st, 2023 at 12:17 PM ^
Hail. Hail to Hutch as well. Hail to the Lions of every appellation (looking at Decker.)