Saturday’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions ended in controversy when the Lions were flagged for improper touching on a potential game-winning two-point convert. Rex Ryan, a former NFL head coach turned ESPN studio commentator, had a lot to say about the issue on Sunday.
The officials made the ruling after Lions offensive lineman Taylor Decker failed to report as eligible for the play. Decker was responsible for the two-point conversion catch.
"He's on the end of the line and he's been playing that ineligible position. So if he's gonna be on the end of the line and be eligible, he needed to report, as well." pic.twitter.com/36ZXXgxZA7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 31, 2023
After the game, Troy Aikman discussed the play, stating that he saw Decker walk up to the officials before the play to tell them something.
"When you go back and you watch the tape, Dan Skipper comes in but Taylor Decker also walks over to the official. And you only do that if you're telling the official you're reporting as an eligible."
– Troy Aikman. pic.twitter.com/6ei8ORVRus
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 31, 2023
Only Decker and the officials in question are aware of what occurred on the field. However, it appeared that he attempted to inform the officials of his eligibility before to the game.
Despite the fact that the overhead camera perspective from ESPN clearly shows Decker heading up to the officials before the play, Brad Allen, the game’s crew chief, highlighted in his post-game report that Lions offensive guard Dan Skipper was listed as eligible prior to the game, but not Decker.
Referee Brad Allen lays out all the things he saw to indicate the #Lions were operating like Taylor Decker was eligible, not Dan Skipper … but insists Skipper is the one who reported. https://t.co/2dARBgA323
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2023
Rex Ryan and the rest of the Sunday NFL Countdown crew on ESPN discussed the controversial call, in which Ryan chastised the referees while absolving the players of any guilt.
“The players did exactly what they were supposed to do,” Ryan said. “Every single one of them.” From Jared Goff crossing the field to telling (Taylor) Decker to go report. He went directly over there and reported, and the official nodded. Dan Campbell erred by assuming the official would get it right. Why? Because he expected the officials to do it properly. Before the game, you go over every trick-play scenario. There is a grease board, and you draw the play exactly as it is. I guarantee you he drew up the fake punt as well.
“This is a huge blunder.” The fact that we are blaming the players is what disturbs me the most. The players performed everything correctly. Stop concealing someone’s buttocks and tell it like it is. Take some responsibility and act like a guy. It’s a game that might cost them the second and possibly first seeds. That is a significant difference between playing on the road and playing at home. As a football coach, I can tell you exactly what happened.”
Ryan coached at the NFL level for 12 years as a defensive coordinator and a head coach. So he certainly knows a mistake from the officials when he sees one.
It also doesn’t help matters as Ryan stated that this game was a huge game for seeding in the NFC for both teams. With a win, both could have been in contention for a number-one seed in the conference.
Instead, the Cowboys came away with a huge win and the Lions will be talking about this moment for potentially weeks to come.
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