The Detroit Lions must recover from their contentious Dallas loss.
Dan Campbell, the coach of the Detroit Lions, had no desire in overtime on Saturday.
He informed his squad they would score a touchdown and the game-winning 2-point conversion when they grabbed the ball on their final drive against the Dallas Cowboys, behind 20–13. He even knew that Taylor Decker, the tackle, would be the one to catch it.
Following the Lions’ first division triumph in thirty years last weekend, Campbell honored many “old guard” players, including Decker, an Ohio State veteran of eight years. Decker was going to grab the ball now, on the most important play of the game.
The play worked perfectly — Decker faked a block before slipping into the back of the end zone to catch Jared Goff’s 2-point conversion pass and a 21-20 lead — until a penalty was called.
Referee Brad Allen stated that Dan Skipper, not Decker, had reported as an eligible receiver. The play was ruled back, and the Cowboys persevered to win 20-19, a victory that will be crucial for the NFC playoff picture.
The Lions claimed in the locker room that they were not at fault for the error. Before the game, Campbell stated he gave the officiating crew an explanation of the play. While Skipper claimed he didn’t report, Decker claimed he did report to Allen.
On camera, Decker was speaking with Allen, who then addressed the Dallas defense.
“I don’t know if I’ll get fined for this, but I do know that Decker reported,” Goff stated. “I am aware that Dan Skipper did not, even though they claimed he did. It’s regrettable.
Prior to playing Minnesota in the regular-season finale the following weekend, the Lions must get back on track. Even if they might receive the third seed in the playoffs, defeating the Vikings at home will spare them from having to host them once more in the wild-card round – their third meeting in as many weeks.
Of course, there’s also the alternative, which is already causing Lions supporters great anxiety. What if Matthew Stafford is the opponent in the Lions’ first playoff game at Ford Field, their home field since 2002? Although they supported Stafford when he won a Super Bowl with the Rams, they are opposed to him returning to Detroit to win another postseason game.
