In a season marred by controversial officiating, referee Brad Allen’s brutal crew faced another major storyline during the Dallas Cowboys’ recent victory over the Detroit Lions. This time, a missed call on who was an eligible receiver in an important game is raising concerns. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that mixed crews are used for the playoffs, and after Saturday’s game, Allen’s group is expected to face downgrades, potentially sidelining several officials from postseason assignments.
The focal point of the controversy emerged during the Cowboys’ 20-19 win, where a disputed late two-point conversion by the Lions led to a penalty for not reporting the eligible player, Taylor Decker. Despite Decker’s claim that he did report as eligible and the Lions’ coach, Dan Campbell, allegedly warning the officials about such a play beforehand, Allen’s crew penalized Detroit.
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The post-game revelation, supported by footage showing Decker signaling his eligibility to the referee, contradicted Allen’s account in a pool report, where he identified offensive lineman Dan Skipper as the eligible player.
The NFL Has a Real Officiating Issue On Their Hands
As Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report points out, this incident adds to a series of questionable moments involving Allen’s crew throughout the season. In Week 13, officiating controversies arose during the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the Green Bay Packers, including a pivotal non-call on an obvious pass interference. Allen’s crew also missed a clear pass interference during a November game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.
The consistent controversies have prompted calls for accountability, with some advocating for Brad Allen to face a lengthy suspension. Others have suggested he re-sign or be fired.
Fans and analysts argue that such recurring mistakes undermine the integrity of the game, and the NFL is under pressure to address officiating concerns ahead of the playoffs. Whether Allen’s crew will be included in postseason assignments remains uncertain, but the league’s response is keenly awaited as it seeks to ensure that officiating controversies don’t overshadow the excitement of playoff football.
