Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
ARLINGTON, TEXAS, Jan. 2, 2024 ~ A controversial call against the Detroit Lions resulted in the Dallas Cowboys 20-19 victory at AT&T Stadium on Saturday Night Football.
The Lions were able to get points on the board on their first drive with a 41-yard field goal made by Michael Badgley. Dallas would respond on the following drive with a 92-yard receiving touchdown from Ceedee Lamb. Lamb had a franchise night for the Cowboys, breaking Hall of Famer Michael Irvin‘s single-season franchise record for receptions and receiving yards. Lamb had a career-high 227 yards and 13 catches.
A scoreless second quarter would put the lions down four at halftime. The Lions would score on their opening drive with a three-yard run from David Montgomery. The pair of Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who have been arguably the best backfield in football, had a combined 108 rushing yards. Dallas was able to put three points on the board with a field goal making the two teams even at 10 going into the fourth quarter.
Detroit would take the lead early in the fourth quarter with another field goal by Badgley. The Cowboys went on to score on their next two drives, putting the Lions down seven.
With under two minutes remaining, Lions’ Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown would lead a 75-yard drive resulting in a touchdown by St. Brown putting the Lions down one.
PODCAST:
Jan. 2, 2024 ~ The Detroit Lions suffered another agonizing loss to the Cowboys over the weekend. Guy Gordon, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Emonds chat with Bill Keenist and Lomas Brown about the confusion with the referees on Detroit’s two-point conversion attempt, and how Dan Campbell can rally the team to focus on the Vikings. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA Today Network
PHOTOS:
Dec. 30, 2023 ~ Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell talks to referees regarding offensive tackle Taylor Decker‘s two-point conversion catch being called illegal touching during the second half of the Lions’ 20-19 loss at AT&T Stadium. Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
(CONTINUED) Detroit had two choices: go for a two-point conversion or kick a PAT. Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell decided to put his faith in his offense and go for a two-point conversion. The Lions gamble looked successful as offensive lineman Taylor Decker received a pass from Jared Goff in the endzone. However, a flag was thrown on the play for illegal touching by Decker. Before a play where an offensive lineman is eligible to receive a pass, he must make a referee aware that he is eligible. The referee claimed Decker did not check in with him, resulting in a five-yard penalty against Detroit.
The Lions were persistent as they went for the two-point conversion again. Another flag was thrown, leaving Detroit with one more chance to convert. Unfortunately, the Lions failed to concert, leaving Dallas with the win and undefeated at home this season.
The controversial call of illegal touching is buzzing around the entire NFL community.
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