The post NFL’s latest officiating controversy has Lions and Cowboys fans questioning it originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Did Dak Pescott take the ball completely out of the end zone before it was first touched by a defender? NFL officials said he did, and as a result, a sack in the first quarter of Thursday night’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions was not ruled a safety. Others watching the game were less sure.
advertise
This controversial play occurred in the first quarter. Facing a third down situation, Prescott passed the ball back to his own goal line. But before he could get rid of the ball, Prescott was sacked by Detroit’s Jack Campbell. After a brief meeting, officials ruled it was safe. Rules analyst Terry McAulay agreed with the call and expected the ruling to be upheld under review.
“Kirk, this is a perfect view,” McCauley said to Kirk Herbstreit. “When the defender touches the ball, if any part of the ball goes over the goal line, then it’s a safety. From that shot, part of the ball still goes over the goal line. So that should be correct.”
When referee Sean Hochulli called the decision overturned, McCauley questioned the decision.
“I just don’t see it that way,” he said. “They said the entire ball was out of bounds, and of course, you know, that’s subjective. But I really didn’t see the entire ball out of bounds, and that has to be clear and obvious for a reversal.”
advertise
Others, meanwhile, are unconvinced. It’s not just Lions fans saying this.
“As a Cowboys fan, I have to admit, the Lions just got screwed,” one fan said.
“It’s definitely a safety,” one Cowboys fan account said. “The Lions were deprived of 2 points.”
“How is this unsafe???” the “Detroit Times” reported.
“There’s nothing — absolutely nothing — that suggests this safety measure should be overturned,” Jordan Schultz said. “Wilderness.”
Notably, McCauley changed his tune when the game resumed from commercial break after the ensuing punt.
advertise
“From this point, the entire ball was out of the end zone,” he said. “So from that perspective, they’re definitely right.”
The second angle does more strongly support the idea that the entire ball was out of the end zone at contact, although whether that’s conclusive is up for debate.
There was a lot of controversy surrounding officiating during Week 13 of the NFL season. If the league hopes to get through Week 14 without players, those hopes could quickly be dashed.