The Lions deserve some of the blame, they sent three linemen over to the ref with the intention of only one reporting eligible, there’s no need for 58 to even be over there or for 70 beelining to the ref brushing the front of his jersey if they weren’t reporting, they were trying to confuse Dallas and ended up confusing the ref. If the ref did announce that 68 was eligible to Dallas, it’s doubtful he would have been that open.
That’s the biggest F‘up of the game IMO. You got two gifts - Lambs touchback fumble and fake punt on that sequence…you should have taken the easy three there. If you do that you don’t need the 2.
I disagree with this. Not only was 68 the only one who said anything (according to the Lions after the game), but Dan Campbell said he went over the play with the officials prior to the game. In a game-deciding play like that, the officials need to have all their ducks in a row and clearly did not since Brad Allen just assumed 70 was reporting because he was running over.
Bingo! Detroit had the momentum to kick butt in overtime. To let his team’s comeback hinge on one play - right after they were penalized - was a stupid macho/meathead gaffe. He’s already bought enough good will from the Detroit media and fandom such that they’ll go easy on him, but still…..
Agreed.
That’s how Campbell coaches, and thats what the Lions do. Sometimes it costs them but they are unapologetic and don’t waver in who they are. As a lifelong Lions fan who has watched the same old same old miserable, by the book football and losing for the past 40 years this is damned refreshing. In 2 years this guy has completely changed the 50 year losing culture and mentality of a moribund, hopeless organization. You won’t find anyone in Michigan who doesn’t love Campbell. But if I were referee Brad Allen I’d avoid traveling to this part of the world for a long while.. The lions did everything right and he blew it, and offered a false explanation after the fact.
This is 💯 correct. The Lions did everything right. The refs blew it. The immediate reactions to the call of Campbell and the involved players reflect that they did it by the book and the ref just flat out dropped the ball. End of story.
Yep, the ref screwed up because the Lions tried to be cute in sending the three tackles over to the ref.
I don’t know the rule on this, and was not watching the game, but it may be that once you opt to go for 2 and the ball is placed on the 2, you cannot then change your mind and kick for the point. Otherwise, why would you still go for 2 after the penalty?
If he reported (which it looked like he did), then it was a legal play because the receiver next to him was off the line.
What do you think 68 was talking to the ref about before 70 was even there? NYE plans maybe?
I mean ffs everything on the Lions’ side lines up. Nothing on the refs side does.
he clearly went over to the official.....whether he reported or not is speculation.
But it doesn’t even make sense that #70 would be the one reporting and not #68. Decker was the one closest to Brad Allen, who was walking away towards the line of scrimmage before #70 even showed up.
as I said, without audio, just speculation...it also does not make sense that this ref would allow the penalty after clearly hearing this guy report, correct?
It’s not that the Lions are trying to choose who reported after the fact, it’s that the officials mistakingly said it was #70 reported and not #68. It doesn’t even make sense that #70 would be an eligible receiver because the formation is only legal if #68 is the one who’s eligible.
May you expand on “this ref would allow the penalty?” I think I’ve already had too much champagne.
