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5 Things That Went Wrong During the Lions-Cowboys Playoff Game

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By @MichaelTerrill

5 Things That Went Wrong During the Lions-Cowboys Playoff Game

Lions-Cowboys Playoff Game
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The Dallas Cowboys emerged victorious against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card on Sunday. Even though the Cowboys played well enough to win, there is no denying it did not happen without some controversy. Here are five things that went wrong during the Lions-Cowboys playoff game.

5. Detroit Squanders Lead, Scores Only 3 Points In Second Half

Detroit Squanders Lead, Scores Only 3 Points In Second Half
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5. Detroit Squanders Lead, Scores Only 3 Points In Second Half

Detroit Squanders Lead, Scores Only 3 Points In Second Half
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The Lions dominated the first half by jumping out to a 14-0 lead, and held a 17-7 lead at halftime. Unfortunately, turnovers played a massive role, which includes a Matthew Stafford interception to open the second half. Detroit essentially had the game won. But, they continuously shot themselves in the foot, which is why they are going home early and the Cowboys will travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.

4. Clear Holding Not Called On Go-Ahead Touchdown

Clear Holding Not Called On Go-Ahead Touchdown
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4. Clear Holding Not Called On Go-Ahead Touchdown

Clear Holding Not Called On Go-Ahead Touchdown
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Detroit didn’t do themselves any favors, but there’s no denying the referees were part of the storyline. On Tony Romo’s go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, there was clear holding by left tackle Tyron Smith on defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. What has to be frustrating for the Lions is that there were so many bad calls that didn’t go their way prior to that moment. A make-up call needed to happen and it simply didn’t.

3. Jim Caldwell Should Have Gone For It

Jim Caldwell Should Have Gone For It
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3. Jim Caldwell Should Have Gone For It

Jim Caldwell Should Have Gone For It
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With a 4th-and-1 decision and an entire frustrated fan base at his back, Lions coach Jim Caldwell decided to attempt to draw the Dallas defense offsides with their second-to-last offensive possession. When that didn’t work, he elected to punt, which resulted in a shank that traveled only 10 yards. Caldwell should have kept the momentum alive by going for it on fourth down. Instead, he must live with what could have been.

2. Dez Bryant Should Have Been Flagged

Dez Bryant Should Have Been Flagged
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2. Dez Bryant Should Have Been Flagged

Dez Bryant Should Have Been Flagged
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Dez Bryant should have been flagged for walking 15 yards onto the field with his helmet off to argue linebacker Anthony Hitchens’ pass-interference penalty. Instead, the referees let it fly, just like they did the pass interference when they picked up the flag several minutes later. This was just one more example that Dallas was being favored by the officials down the stretch.

1. The Call

The Call
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1. The Call

The Call
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The most talked about moment from the game was the horrendous decision for the referees to pick up the flag on Hitchens’ pass-interference penalty. He clearly interfered with Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew’s ability to catch the football. Not to mention, he never got his head turned around to look for the ball. It was textbook pass interference and the referees initially got it right. The mysterious reason to pick up the flag was a mistake.

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