Something isn't adding up in the aftermath of a controversial end to the Lions-Cowboys game in Week 17.
Dallas hung on for a 20-19 win over Detroit, picking up a big victory for seeding purposes in the NFC playoff picture. However, all of the buzz is surrounding NFL referee Brad Allen and his crew's penalty on Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker that negated the potential game-winning two-point conversion for Detroit.
The Lions scored a touchdown with 23 seconds remaining against the Cowboys to pull within a point of tying the contest. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell stayed in his aggressive ways, opting to try a two-point conversion for the win rather than play it safe and attempt an extra point to force overtime. The call initially appeared to work, as Lions quarterback Jared Goff found Decker in the end zone for the conversion.
However, a flag was thrown on the play, and Decker was called for illegal touching after officials determined the lineman did not report in as an eligible receiver. The Lions could not convert again, and it resulted in the one-point defeat.
MORE: Why Lions' 2-point conversion vs. Cowboys was wiped off on Taylor Decker penalty
Campbell said after the game that he was told by the officials that it was offensive tackle Dan Skipper, not Decker, who reported as eligible on the play, which is why a flag was thrown.
"The explanation was 70 (Skipper) reported," Dan Campbell said after the game. "Two people can't report. I don't want to talk about it. I explained everything pregame to a T. Seventy reported. Sixty-eight didn't. We threw it to 68. That was the explanation."
"He's on the end of the line and he's been playing that ineligible position. So if he's gonna be on the end of the line and be eligible, he needed to report, as well." pic.twitter.com/36ZXXgxZA7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 31, 2023
Despite what the officials told the Lions head coach, video evidence appears to show otherwise, as there is clear footage of Decker going over to the officials before the play.
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
On the Detroit side, the players were adamant that the protocols were followed, including Decker reporting to the officials as eligible on the play.
MORE: Cowboys survive chaotic finish vs. Lions to stay in NFC East race
However, Allen and the officials are sticking with their side of the story.
Lions-Cowboys referee pool report
In the Lions-Cowboys pool report after the game, Allen stated that it was No. 70 (Skipper) who reported as eligible on the play, not Decker (No. 68).
Cowboys-Lions pool report: pic.twitter.com/RTBq4iZgmt
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) December 31, 2023
"So, we had a situation where if you were going to have an ineligible number occupy an eligible position, you have to report that to the referee," Allen told the pool reporter, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. "On this particular play, number 70, who had reported during the game a couple of times, reported to me as eligible. Then he lined up at the tackle position. So, actually, he didn't have to report at all.
"Number 68, who ended up going downfield and touching the pass, did not report. Therefore, he is ineligible touching a pass that goes beyond the line, which makes it a foul. So, the issue is, number 70 did report, number 68 did not."
Allen was also asked about the conversation between Decker and himself, which can be seen on video. However, the NFL official did not reveal anything about a discussion with Decker.
"That conversation is where number 70 reports to me, and I then go to the defensive team, and I say to them, 'Number 70 has reported as an eligible receiver,' so they will be aware of who has reported and then I return to my position on the line," Allen said. "That was the conversation with the defensive line."
While Allen has his side of the story, it does not appear to line up with the Lions' version and the pre-snap video. Decker was asked about the play after the game, and stated defiantly that he did what he was told to do by Campbell before the snap of the ball.
#Lions Taylor Decker: “I did what I was told to do.” pic.twitter.com/nAniCMAZIh
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) December 31, 2023
"I mean, I did exactly what coach told me to do," Decker said. "Went to the ref, said 'report' ... Did what I was told to do. And did it how we did it in practice all week."
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In the video of the play, it is evident that it was Decker, not Skipper, that went to talk to the officials. Goff specifically can be seen pointing at Decker to go to the officials to seemingly report as eligible on the play.
"Pretty confused," Jared Goff said after the game. "What I do know, and I don't know if I'll get fined for this. But I do know that Decker reported. I do know that Dan Skipper did not. And I do know that they said that Dan Skipper did."
The offensive tackle also went on to say that Campbell went over that specific play with the officials before the game to clear up any issues with who would and would not be eligible on the play.
"It was my understanding too, that [Campbell] brings up the possibility of those sorts of plays pregame."
Despite the contradictory statements from the Lions and the video evidence, the officials are sticking with their story and Detroit has to deal with the sour feeling of having a win potentially ripped out of its hands.
