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Replay shows Lions were clearly robbed of 2-point conversion vs. Cowboys

Video shows Decker talking to ref before play

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and running back David Montgomery (5) react after Montgomery scored on a run against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth) (Michael Ainsworth, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press All Rights Reserved)

The Lions-Cowboys game on Saturday night ended with a controversial call against Detroit, wiping away the game-winning points from the scoreboard with 23 seconds left.

Lions QB Jared Goff would lead the Lions down the field for a game-tying touchdown. Dan Campbell decided to go for two, to take the lead. They ran a play-action throw to Lions tackle Taylor Decker, but refs ruled that he hadn’t declared, and wiped away the try.

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Video replay shown on ESPN shows Goff telling Decker to report himself, and then shows Decker walking up to a referee, and then walking back to the huddle.

After the game, Lions coach Dan Campbell was visibly tense, telling reporters that he was told only No. 70 Dan Skipper reported, despite the video evidence. Jared Goff said he Decker to go and report, and he did.

Troy Aikman said in the post-game that it appears the referee didn’t hear Decker, or heard the wrong thing.

ESPN rules analyst John Parry said it was on Decker to make sure the ref heard him properly. He seriously said this on TV, to real people watching.

---> What Dan Campbell, Taylor Decker said about 2-point conversion penalty vs. Cowboys

Former Lions QB Dan Orlovsky broke down the play on X, saying he doesn’t know any other reason Decker would be walking up to the ref.

The Lions would try to score two more times, but couldn’t convert it again. They lost to Dallas, 20-19.


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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