There is no denying facts in this case. From every conceivable angle the Dallas Cowboys defense got away with highway robbery when one of their players not only held Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew but also interfered with him on the ensuing pass play. The first wasn’t called and the second drew flag that was inconceivably picked up, but not before a lengthy wait of course.
Fittingly the Lions let the sequence of event affect them, shanking a bad punt that the Cowboys used to drive down a short field for the go-ahead score. It’s inescapable. Dallas was handed the wild card victory and most sources agree.
I am out of here. Biggest call was the DPI pickup. It was DPI and it was defensive holding as well. Not good. Flying back to Sac tonight.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) January 5, 2015
Barry Church of the Cowboys on the pass interference called back: "I would have called it if I was the ref."
— Ebenezer Samuel (@ebenezersamuel) January 5, 2015
So yes, the Detroit Lions were robbed, but that doesn’t free them from blame for the loss. Let’s not forget that they had every opportunity to win the game early. They jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first half and missed a huge chance to deliver the knockout after Dallas missed a field goal.
They failed.
Before the end of the half they drove down the field and kicked a field goal to make the score 17-7, knowing they’d get the second half kickoff.
Matthew Stafford had a pass tipped for an interception on the opening drive.
Detroit was sloppy and inconsistent. So were the Cowboys but they were playing at home and everybody knows when games are close the home team gets the fortunate bounces. The Lions could’ve and should’ve won this game handily. The blown call eases the blame, but doesn’t erase it.