The Detroit Lions took a risk in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys, attempting a game-winning two-point conversion with 23 seconds remaining. What followed was one of the most controversial moments of the 2023 season and it appears the NFL believes the Lions are to blame for it.
Detroit engineered a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to turn a 20-13 deficit into a one-point game. Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell then stayed true to himself, attempting the two-point conversion that would’ve given his team the lead with 23 seconds left.
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Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson drew up the perfect play for the situation. As an eligible player, offensive tackle Taylor Decker took a delayed route to the end zone and was left wide open for the successful two-point conversion. However, the officiating crew nullified the play by ruling Decker an ineligible receiver.
On the play, the Lions sent backup offensive lineman Dan Skipper out onto the field. Detroit’s intention was trickery, hoping Dallas would see Skipper running towards the official and believe he reported himself as eligible. In reality, it was Decker who reported to referee Brad Allen that he would be eligible for the play.
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However, Allen made a costly mistake. The veteran referee ruled Skipper eligible and viewed Decker as playing his traditional tackle role. As a result, Decker was flagged for illegal touching because he was classified as an ineligible receiver on the play. While Allen made the error, it appears the NFL believes Detroit’s deception is to blame.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL doesn’t plan to make any changes in 202 regarding the procedure for players reporting as eligible. Instead, the NFL views the fallout from what happened as the downside of the Lions’ efforts to engage in “deception and gamesmanship” with Detroit responsible for the consequences.
The NFL’s stance isn’t surprising. Officiating has been the biggest source of complaints among players, coaches, fans and analysts this season. However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and league officials have backed officiating crews all season.
There are consequences for Allen’s crew, with the NFL not expected to let them work one of the playoff games. However, the ramifications were far greater for Detroit and the fact that the NFL believes the team is at fault over its own officiating crew is another reminder for players and coaches that refs won’t often be held accountable for their mistakes.
