NFL Blames Lions Not Refs

[CowboyStar88]

The Ref should have tapped the brakes on the play to sort out the Lions running 3 OL at him.

Someone posted a soundbite of the Ref saying #70 is reporting as eligible. I assume all OL have to report as eligible if they are intending to be out on a route?

It's a 50-50 culpability play. I could never in my wildest dreams thought of seeing the Cowboys on the winning side of such a clusterfudge.

Having a good laugh today at all the ex players who masquerade as analysts chiming in on this one.

Why were 3 Lions running at him to begin with? Seems that all of this started because the Lions sent 3 OL to create confusion. So, maybe the Lions shouldn’t be sending 3 OL to ref in that scenario.

I just don’t get why so many want to absolve the Lions of any wrongdoing.

 

[Nova]

Yeah but why would they though? The whole point is to be sneaky so the linemen is open like he was. It's to catch the defense off guard like they did.

Because the official has to convey to the defense who is eligible, anyway. So why risk confusing the ref?

Granted, I don’t think it’s likely to happen where the ref gets confused, but it’s the Lions job to communicate effectively and the muddied their own message.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

So you want the Cowboys to be on the hook for a ref screwup?

Not at all lol. I want the refs to be on the hook for a ref screwup.

 

[RonnieT24]

I don’t believe it’s the lions job to correct the refs mistakes. What bothers me the most is why in gods name did it take forever to throw the flags. Also if the refs knew #68 was ineligible why wasn’t he flagged for being illegally down field during the play I he was 10 yards past the los. I forgot happy new year

The official might not have noticed how far downfield he was until they threw him the ball. If they had thrown the ball elsewhere they might have gotten away with it because as we have learned recently, refs are being told that if the found did not impact the play it's okay not to throw the flag. So if Goff threw the two pointer to the other side of the field the ineligible receiver flag might not have been thrown. However when the ref made the announcement of the penalty he did say "illegal touching by an ineligible receiver downfield." So methinks they called both anyway but since the ref on that side was the only one with a clear view only one flag was thrown. I need to watch again to see if he (she?) threw the hat as well which would indicate two fouls.

 

[RonnieT24]

The ref reported the wrong number didn't he? They reported the wrong number due to the confusion. Which is why he was wide open.

I think the ref reported the number the Lions wanted him to report because they didn't understand the rules which state that the ALL have to be reported not just the one you're trying to play footsy with the refs on.

 

[phildadon86]

The NFL is being immature about this but typically they always do when it comes to officiating. At the end of the day he made an error. A mistake. No shame in making a mistake. It's when the NFL doesn't own up to it and in this case just making excuses. Lions tried to get cute and sneaky and it screwed them but it's not their job to officiate the game. They got screwed. That's become a part of the NFL though.

I don't cry for them because you make your own luck. You threw 2 interceptions. You didn't play well. Had you played better you wouldn't have needed that 2 point conversion that you didn't even need to begin with. Your coach could've bailed out and calmed things down but stuck with wanting to go for 2.

They heard 70 was the eligible player. That’s where the lions should have screamed and cried it was supposed to be 68. Not after the fact.

 

[32BellyOption]

The lions snapped the ball with the wrong guy eligible, dumb

The Lions heard the announcement that 70 was eligible and said nothing. Not to mention had the leg sweep been called properly the game would have been over.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Because the official has to convey to the defense who is eligible, anyway. So why risk confusing the ref?

Granted, I don’t think it’s likely to happen where the ref gets confused, but it’s the Lions job to communicate effectively and the muddied their own message.

I don't know the rules about that. I know the refs have to convey the right number but if they don't then that's on the refs or the Lions? The rules may defend the officials here. Lions took a risk confusing the ref and it bit them. Rightfully so. But it bit them because the ref got confused.

 

[rambo2]

I would like to know what the excuse is for the blown tripping call and the holding non call at Miami and the picking up the flag at Arizona.

 

[Reality]

“You’re not going to believe this, but the NFL is blaming the Lions for a blown call that cost them a win vs. the Cowboys on Saturday night.

According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the NFL has no plans to change the rules on players reporting as eligible after Saturday night’s fiasco in Dallas. And it’s not placing blame on the refs.

“Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL does not plan to change the procedure for players reporting as eligible. The league views the situation as an effort by the Lions to engage in deception and gamesmanship that backfired,” Florio said.

“Basically, the Lions wanted the Cowboys to think Skipper was reporting as eligible and that Decker was not. Which would have caused the Cowboys to cover Skipper, not Decker, when the play unfolded. The problem is that, in trying to confuse the Cowboys, the Lions confused Allen.”


Full Story Here:
https://www.clickondetroit.com/spor...call-on-2-point-play-vs-cowboys-not-the-refs/

This is exactly what I have been saying since right after the game

 

[DripTooHard]

I would like to know what the excuse is for the blown tripping call and the holding non call at Miami and the picking up the flag at Arizona.

Oh the Miami ref will get promoted for how he called that game.

 

[CowboyStar88]

All you guys are so concerned with defending the cowboys and making sure it seems like a clear win for them. Bottom line, they got lucky and we're going to lose that game.

But because they got lucky and the eagles are collapsing, everyone thinks this is the turn of the coin for the cowboys.

It's not, same story, they will collapse in the playoffs.

I agree with you, however I’m not defending the cowboys I’m making sure the Lions take their fair share of blame. I’ve watched DC postgame, I’ve watched Deckers interview, I’ve read what Lewis had to say, what Goff had to say etc…

The Lions aren’t being honest about the events and how they unfolded and thats what gets me. I am a DC fan, but I think he’s absolutely being deceptive and that bothers me.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

They heard 70 was the eligible player. That’s where the lions should have screamed and cried it was supposed to be 68. Not after the fact.

I agree with you. But the reason they didn't do it is because they didn't wanted to be sneaky about it and not put attention on 68.

 

[Vtwin]

I can't believe some Dallas fans want to defend the Lions on this When it is very clear, and obvious Detroit tried to cheat and it failed.

I can't believe some Dallas fans can't see this for what is. An attempt at some gamesmanship combined with an error by the official lead to a very confused play that was ultimately and rightfully disallowed.

The Lions screwed up. The officials screwed up. Both of those things are equally true.

p.s. I don't see anyone here "defending" the Lions. Acknowledging the whole picture does not equal defending the Lions.

 

[RonnieT24]

The good news is that with the million camera angles and sideline media guys for both teams somebody caught this whole sequence on film and depending on which that guy was rooting for it will come out if it supports his team's account of events. If it's the Lions media guy and it shows #68 mouthing "I am reporting as eligible" to the ref it will come out. If it's a Cowboys media guy and it shows #70 screaming "I am reporting eligible" to the ref that will come out. The only way it stays buried is if it supports the opposite team of the guy with the footage.

 

[DripTooHard]

I agree with you. But the reason they didn't do it is because they didn't wanted to be sneaky about it and not put attention on 68.

Then they should have known that 68 would be penalized and the play wouldn’t count.

 

[RonnieT24]

I can't believe some Dallas fans can't see this for what is. An attempt at some gamesmanship combined with an error by the official lead to a very confused play that was ultimately and rightfully disallowed.

The Lions screwed up. The officials screwed up. Both of those things are equally true.

p.s. I don't see anyone here "defending" the Lions. Acknowledging the whole picture does not equal defending the Lions.

People are asserting that the Lions "would not lie about something like this." I would certainly call that "defending the Lions." Of course they would lie.. What would they gain by coming clean about trying to cheat?

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

My read of Dan Campbell’s and Tyler Decker’s post comments is that they were being coy. They were still in the heat of the moment and wanted to seem like they were unfairly victimized. They weren’t giving up all the details.

Sorta like a guy that gets caught sleeping with a sexbot and then telling his wife “I never slept with another woman.”

 

[jazzcat22]

#70 never said anything about reporting. 68 is the one who reported.

And I'm not hurt the Cowboys won. Not at all. Don't be silly. I've been on this site for years when is my MO to be "anti" Cowboys? Disagree with me if you want but don't question my fandom just because I don't agree with you.

My stance is keep the same energy. If this was the Cowboys I'd be PISSED. You all would be pissed at the officials. Nobody will admit it. I will.

My stance is Lions have their share in the blame because they "confused" the official. My stance is the official shouldn't be "confused". If he's "confused" then he's the problem. Not the Lions.

I'm pro hold the officials accountable. We harp on them missing the Hendershot tripping call. You guys understand that but don't understand their incompetence in reporting the wrong number? I don't understand. Well, no I do. I can be a Cowboy fan but officials need to take accountability for their mistake.

70 reported, 68 thought he reported. It was still deception by Detroit.

GMFB on NFLN thing about it still. Just a bunch of whiners about it.

Time to move on to Washington game and winning the NFCE and the 2nd seed.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I can't believe some Dallas fans can't see this for what is. An attempt at some gamesmanship combined with an error by the official lead to a very confused play that was ultimately and rightfully disallowed.

The Lions screwed up. The officials screwed up. Both of those things are equally true.

p.s. I don't see anyone here "defending" the Lions. Acknowledging the whole picture does not equal defending the Lions.

What people are doing is solely blaming the refs. Read the responses. I think you explained it perfectly.