The Dallas Cowboys entered Week 14 having won three games in a row before facing the Detroit Lions on “Thursday Night Football.”
The Cowboys needed a win to inch closer to the 8-4 Philadelphia Eagles for first place in the NFC East. Instead, a 44-30 loss to the Lions in front of 64,028 fans at Ford Field dropped Dallas to 6-6-1.
The Lions had a fast start, extending their lead to 27-9 in the third quarter before Dallas mounted a fierce second-half comeback.
Dallas made it 30-27 in the fourth quarter before the Lions scored another touchdown to make it a 37-27 contest with 7:17 remaining. On the ensuing drive, the Cowboys tried to move the ball quickly down the field before converting a field goal with 3:42 left in the fourth quarter.
On 3rd-and-3 from the Detroit 11-yard line, Dallas tight end Jake Ferguson was called for a questionable pass interference penalty on Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone.
Cowboys fans on social media voiced their disagreement with the call.
“Lions keep getting bailed out by the refs. This is why no one likes the Lions, and it makes me glad they have and never will see a Super Bowl,” wrote a fan.
“This might be the worst ref performance of the season,” argued a fan.
“Oh so NOW we care about bad pass interference calls only when it negatively affects Dallas…. got it,” posted another.
“Someone in the crew got some serious cash on Detroit,” suggested a poster.
“The amount of terrible calls late in 4th quarter this year is staggering. Refs seem so eager to have a hand in deciding games. It’s gotta stop, I’d rather see a penalty not called then to see one created 10 out of 10 times,” wrote a fan.
“How in the world is that OPI. Fire this officiating crew. That is detrimental to the outcome of this football game,” posted another.
The Lions wound up declining the penalty anyway, and the Cowboys made a field goal to make the game 37-30.
The Cowboys were penalized seven times for 76 yards. Detroit was flagged eight times for 50 yards.
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