Lions Being Blamed by NFL For ‘Engaging In Deception And Gamesmanship’ During Controversial Ending In Loss to Cowboys

The NFL appears unsympathetic towards the Detroit Lions regarding the events of Saturday, and they are evidently deflecting blame for the situation.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL has no intentions of altering the rules regarding players reporting as eligible following the incident on Saturday night in Dallas. Furthermore, the league is placing responsibility on the Detroit Lions for the unfolding events.

Florio reported, “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL does not plan to change the procedure for players reporting as eligible. The league views the situation as an effort by the Lions to engage in deception and gamesmanship that backfired.”

In trying to confuse the Cowboys as to who was and wasn't eligible on fateful two-point try, the Lions successfully confused referee Brad Allen. From the NFL's perspective, that's the risk the Lions assumed by engaging in deception and gamesmanship. https://t.co/TPQfUK8rXr

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 1, 2024

Brad Allen was not present for the pregame officials’ meeting with Dan Campbell. That’s not unusual. The question is whether Campbell explained the play or the plan to confuse the Cowboys before the play as to who was and wasn’t eligible. Campbell needs to be asked that question.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 1, 2024

The controversy arose after Amon-Ra St. Brown’s touchdown reception brought the Lions within a point in the final minute of the game. Jared Goff then found offensive tackle Taylor Decker in the end zone for what initially seemed like a successful two-point conversion. However, Decker was penalized for illegal touching, leading to the nullification of the conversion.

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Replays indicated that Decker had approached referee Brad Allen before the play, presumably to report himself as an eligible receiver. However, Allen stated after the game that offensive tackle Dan Skipper, not Decker, had reported as eligible.

Florio explained that the Lions added an extra layer of deception by having both Skipper and Decker approach Allen before the snap. “Basically, the Lions wanted the Cowboys to think Skipper was reporting as eligible and that Decker was not,” he wrote. “Which would have caused the Cowboys to cover Skipper, not Decker, when the play unfolded. The problem is that, in trying to confuse the Cowboys, the Lions confused Allen.”

Despite the NFL’s decision not to change any rules, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that a “large part” of Allen’s crew won’t be officiating in the postseason due to multiple missed calls throughout the season.

Clearly, the NFL is eager to move on from this incident, especially with the playoffs on the horizon.