Dean Blandino on Lions-Cowboys controversy: ‘Referee would never go along with that’

NFL rules expert Dean Blandino recently weighed in on the controversial ending of the Detroit Lions loss to the Dallas Cowboys. In particular, he broke down the Lions’ explanation that they went to the officials prior to the game to properly explain the confusing tactic.

The controversy, of course, stems from the two-point play late in the game. On it, the Lions threw to a lineman for a score to take the lead. However, it was taken off the board because the officials felt he didn’t properly report as an eligible receiver.

Video showed three different linemen go to an official ahead of the play, but there was clearly confusion. Ultimately, Detroit failed to convert after the penalty and lost the game.

However, after the game, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell explained that this is something they went over with officials before the game. Because of that, he felt there shouldn’t be as much confusion over the play.

That’s something that Blandino says wouldn’t happen, though. Basically, they wouldn’t be OK with a play that didn’t allow the defense to know who was reporting as eligible. They’d make it clear. So, there was some kind of communication issue from the start.

“If a coach told officials that, the officials would tell them they couldn’t do it,” Blandino said. “The referee would never go along with that and would make sure the defense knew exactly who was reporting.”

In essence, going over the play doesn’t matter. The actual operation of the play is still an issue, or the effort to confuse Dallas was so successful that it also confused the officials.

The Brad Allen led crew that made the call is now set to work another game with playoff implications between Baltimore and Pittsburgh to end the season.

Dan Campbell ready to move on after controversial loss to Cowboys

For Lions head coach Dan Campbell, the loss and the controversial call are already something that he’s trying to move on from.

“I’m good. I woke up yesterday — I’m ready man. I’ve got controlled fury, and I’m ready to go. I’m absolutely ready to go,” Campbell said.

“I don’t go the other way and the team won’t either. We are on a mission and we’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves and wallow in everything. We had plays to make and we didn’t make them. It’s a tight game, a good opponent, playoff-type atmosphere and you have to make that one extra play, and we didn’t. So, we will use this as fuel. I got pure octane right now. I woke up and I’m ready. So, we’re moving forward.”