Tripping Calls In Patriots Win Were Incorrect NFL Says: Report

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The New England Patriots and their stellar defense had one of its strongest performances of the year Sunday, holding the Dallas Cowboys to nine points and all but shutting down Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot and the rest of the Dallas offense.

But the 13-9 victory over Dallas didn't come without some controversial tripping calls, two of which the NFL has told the Cowboys were incorrect, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

The first came in the first quarter against Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith, turning a second-and-13 into a second-and-23. The Patriots ended up blocking a punt two plays later, which led to quarterback Tom Brady's lone touchdown pass.

The second tripping call came late in the fourth quarter, when the Cowboys were making their last drive for a potential go-ahead score. Prescott connected with wide receiver Amari Cooper for a fourth down conversion, but it was negated after a tripping call on center Travis Frederick.

Dallas wasn't the only team puzzled by calls from referees though. After the game, Brady told reporters he was unsure why the Patriots last offensive play of the game didn't run out the clock.

With five seconds left in the game, Brady dropped back to pass and lofted a pass sky high out of bounds to drain the clock, but there was a second left on the clock for reasons Brady doesn't understand.

"It was still up in the air when they stopped the clock, so I don’t know," Brady told reporters. Everyone says the Patriot gets advantages. I don't know about that."