Vincent Frank
In the best playoff game of the weekend, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Detroit Lions 24-20 in a NFC Wild Card Playoff game in Dallas on Sunday evening.
However, it wasn’t without controversy. With Detroit leading by three points and just over eight minutes remaining, officials called rookie Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens for pass interference, which would have set the Lions up inside Dallas’ territory.
After announcing the flag, the officiating crew picked up it. Following a horrible punt on the next play, Dallas gained possession of the ball at about its own 40. Within four minutes, Tony Romo hit Terrance Williams for what ended up being the game-winning score.
Former NFL Head of Officiating Mike Pereira, who rarely speaks out against officiating, pretty much summed up the call for the rest of us.
I am out of here. Biggest call was the DPI pickup. It was DPI and it was defensive holding as well. Not good. Flying back to Sac tonight.
This controversy aside, the Cowboys were able to exercise some rather large demons in earning their first playoff victory since defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009. For Romo, it represents only his second career playoff win and the Cowboys second total postseason victory since 1996.
Sadly, the Lions still remain winless in a playoff game since 1992 after a hard-fought loss.
Dallas was down 20-7 early in the third quarter, but was able to make things happen on the offensive side of the ball down the stretch. Struggling most of the game, especially when it came to taking sacks, Romo picked it up when he needed to the most. He led the Cowboys to 17 points on their final three possessions of the game before taking a knee with seconds remaining.
Overall, Romo completed 19-of-31 passes for 293 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Both touchdowns went to Terrance Williams, who tallied 92 yards on three catches.
For his part, Matthew Stafford played darn good football throughout the game. He ended with 323 yards and touchdown. The much-maligned quarterback also threw an interception.
Dallas now heads to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in one of the two NFC Divisional Playoff matchups. The other one will feature the Carolina Panthers heading to the Pacific Northwest to take on the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.
Despite the win, all the talk around the NFL will be about the controversial non-call that aided the Cowboys efforts in the fourth quarter. It’s a fitting narrative, especially considering some of the horrendous officiating we have seen all season.
Photo: USA Today
