Detroit, Dallas, and the Call that Wasn't

Coach Jason Garrett hugs his QB Tony Romo after the comeback victory (Tom Pennington / Getty Images)

It was 3rd and 1.

Detroit had already squandered a 14 point lead and let Dallas creep back into the ballgame. Now down just three points, the Cowboys needed a big defensive stand to get the ball back to their offense. The momentum was with Dallas and the fans were roaring in anticipation. Matthew Stafford took the snap and looked for his tight end, Brandon Pettigrew, who has his man beat and was turning upfield.

It was the play of the game, but not for any level of talent or extreme athleticism. The throw was mediocre; the ball was not even caught! Instead, a flag came in and landed by the ball, and near the pile of bodies that once resembled a passing route.

The impact of the flag was paramount. If a penalty was called on the defense it would grant the Lions an automatic first down and allow them to continue their drive and burn up more precious clock time. Interference seemed the clear call: the receiver was pushed backward and the defender did not even turn to look for the ball.

You make the call (foxsports.com)

The sellout crowd at AT&T stadium-- 80,000 strong-- sat in silence, for the penalty could spell doom for their Cowboys. Millions at home watching waited eagerly for the referee to announce the call.

That call never came.

Instead, the referee picked up the flag and placed it back in his pocket, as if nothing had even occurred. The crowd was puzzled and the commentators were baffled. Typically the referee will explain even the most minute detail in an ordinary game, let alone a wild card playoff match. But nothing ever came. It was fourth down, and the Lions chose to punt.

Dez Bryant protesting the call on the middle of the field, with no helmet
(Also a Penalty) (uproxx.com)

The rest they say is history, which we know to be written by the winners. But what about the loser's history? Here we would see two very different histories, written by the opposing teams, for the impact of that call-- or non-call-- will be debated on the networks for days and weeks to come.



The history according to the Cowboys would go on to tell of the heroic drive that ensued, on which Tony Romo converted a fourth and six, scrambled in the pocket to buy time and threw a bullet touchdown pass to Terrance Williams to take the lead late in the game. That history would tell of the terrible punt that gave Dallas the ball on their own 41-yard line, and it would be sure to note that Detroit had the option to run a play on 4th and 1, but instead elected to punt.

The history as told by the Lions would return to that fateful 3rd and 1, and to the interference call that never was.

No matter your opinion of that one play, there existed numerous other plays that had just as much impact on the game. It is perfectly normal to be haunted by the "what ifs" in the wake of a disappointing loss. But if you are looking for sympathy for a terrible call that cost your team its season, well you've come to the wrong blog.

espn.com