How Lions’ controversial two-point try impacts 49ers’ No. 1 seed bid originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
A controversial call at the end of the Dallas Cowboys’ 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday at AT&T Stadium had a significant impact on the 49ers’ pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
After a late Jared Goff touchdown to Amon-Ra St. Brown with 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Lions head coach Dan Campbell called for a gutsy two-point call. It worked, as offensive lineman Taylor Decker hauled in the pass from Goff.
But it was chalked off due to illegal touching on Decker. Detroit failed to convert the subsequent two-point conversion attempt, losing the game and clearing the path for San Francisco to claim the NFC’s top seed as a result.
With the Lions falling to 11-5, the 49ers can secure the No. 1 seed on Sunday if they beat the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles lose to the Arizona Cardinals.
Let’s attempt to break down what happened at the end of Saturday’s game in Dallas:
1. Before the play, Decker, who wears No. 68 and was sent by Goff, walked over to head referee Brad Allen along with fellow lineman Dan Skipper, who wears No. 70 and runs to the referee after Decker was already there, to report the play to be considered an eligible receiver. And because the referees said it was No. 70 who reported and not No. 68, the formation on the play was also illegal. If the numbers had been swapped as the Lions claimed, the play would’ve stood (Josh Reynolds, who was next to Decker, stood off the ball and was properly aligned).
ESPN showed the overhead camera angle before the 2-point conversion and it sure looks like Taylor Decker went over to the refs.
I don’t know what else he’s telling them….pic.twitter.com/bGvH3kyJzD
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 31, 2023
2. After the flag, Allen told Campbell that it was No. 70 who reported, not No. 68. Campbell said in his post-game presser that he went over the play to the officials…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-controversial-two-point-try-065303899.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2023-12-31 06:53:03
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