NFL Blames Detroit Lions For Fiasco In Dallas, Not Referees: Report

DETROIT — Believe it or not, it sounds like the NFL is blaming the Detroit Lions, not the referees, for the fiasco in Saturday night's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.

The Lions took the lead with just 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter after quarterback Jared Goff found offensive lineman Taylor Decker (who appeared to have reported eligible) in the end zone for a two-point conversion.

However, the Lions were flagged for illegal touching after the referees said Decker failed to report as eligible. Video showed offensive lineman Decker (#68) Penei Sewell (#58) and Dan Skipper (#70) approach a referee Brad Allen before the play.

League officials essentially said the Lions tried to confuse the Cowboys, but instead confused the referees by having multiple offensive line players approach a referee, even though just one player apparently reported as eligible, according to Florio.

"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," Florio said.

In other words, the Lions drew up a play so good that it also confused the referees, and that likely cost them the game.

Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell said Skipper didn't say anything to the referee while Decker reported as eligible before the play.

Campbell also said he talked with the referees before the game that he might run the play, but the official Decker reported eligible to wasn't at the meeting, according to Florio.

The Lions went on to lose the game 20-19, and their chances of getting the No. 1 seed and likely the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs. If the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles both lose on Sunday (not likely) and the Lions win, the Lions will clinch the No. 2 seed.

As of Tuesday, the Lions would host the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. It would be former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford's first game back in Detroit since he was traded for Goff in 2021.

The Lions host the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be on Fox.