FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Referee Brad Allen #122 looks at a replay during a game between the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
It was originally reported that the officiating crew that worked the game between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys could be downgraded before the postseason over the controversial call at the end of the game.
That could still happen. In the meantime, the crew has work to do.
After his involvement in the controversial ending to the Dallas Cowboys’ win over the Detroit Lions in Week 17, Brad Allen is set to serve as the head referee for a very important matchup in Week 18.
Allen and his crew will officiate Saturday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.
Allen and his crew are still being blasted after they determined that offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who caught the two-point conversion in the Lions-Cowboys game, did not report as eligible. Another video seems to show that Decker indeed checked with the ref.
Detroit had two more shots at the two-point conversion, in part thanks to a Dallas penalty, but it was unsuccessful, and the Cowboys held on to win 20-19.
NFL drops the hammer on officials who cost Lions a win against the Cowboys
The officiating crew from Saturday night’s Lions vs Cowboys game could face some form of punishment from the NFL.
The Detroit Lions lost in controversial fashion to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. Dan Campbell opted to go for a two-point conversion and the win after scoring with under a minute remaining in Dallas.
Campbell’s two-point conversion play was a creative one. It was so creative, in fact, that Brad Allen’s crew was fooled as well. Campbell claims he discussed the potential trick play to the crew pregame.
The player who caught the penalized game-winning pass, Taylor Decker, checked with the official prior to the play to ensure he was eligible. Yet, Detroit sent three players at the officials before the play, which ultimately confused Allen’s crew into declaring the wrong player eligible. Yes, it’s a lot.
NFL officials could face punishment from Lions vs Cowboys mistake
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the clerical error will cost Allen and his crew in some fashion. While the league will not fine any of the officials involved, it can limit which referees are allowed to officiate postseason games, which comes with a larger paycheck. Given Allen’s crew has been at the center of controversy several times this season, it’s tough to blame Roger Goodell and the league for taking this matter seriously.
“A large part of Brad Allen’s crew is not going to be officiating in the postseason,” Schefter said. “They’re going to get downgraded, and the chances are that many of them are not going to be involved in the postseason.”
While it’s nice to see said officials be held accountable to some extent, it won’t provide the Lions a possible home NFC Divisional Round game. Even worse, had the Lions won out and the 49ers lost one of their remaining two contests, Detroit would’ve been in line for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Every referee mistake has consequences. While some are a judgement call, and we respect that, this was not. Fans have every right to be upset, and the pool report sure didn’t help matters.
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