A controversial call during the Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys game on Saturday night has sparked a major debate in the sports world. Taylor Decker, the Lions’ left tackle, was at the center of this controversy after being penalized for an “illegal touching” call that negated what would have been a game-winning two-point conversion catch.

The confusion began when Decker, wearing number 68, reported himself as eligible to head referee Brad Allen. However, in a critical error, Allen informed the Cowboys of the wrong player. He told them it was Dan Skipper, number 70, who was the eligible receiver, not Decker. This mistake was confirmed by Decker, Skipper, quarterback Jared Goff, and Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

As a result, Decker’s catch in the end zone, which would have put the Lions ahead, was nullified, leading to widespread criticism of the referee’s decision. This call, now regarded as a clear error, has become a hot topic in sports circles.

Here’s how the rest of the sports world reacted on social media:

This game is drunk.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 31, 2023

ROBBED. https://t.co/yowsaPCn77
— Evan Fox (@evanfoxy) December 31, 2023

Completely changed the playoff landscape pic.twitter.com/J5EUWbLZ1R
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 31, 2023

Detroit got robbed AND I DONT CARE.pic.twitter.com/KKc3Mi4OBm
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 31, 2023

.@Lions v @dallascowboys @__taylordecker go back to WK 17 2021 ( thanks to Jake Ruder) they ran a similar play to Decker for a TD. Nothing new under the sun. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/DYBB5faj1V
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 31, 2023

The refs…..again.
This is why inside of 2 minutes all plays should be reviewable. Decker tried to report to the Ref and got punished for the Ref not seeing him do it and not hearing him. So now the refs can’t see or hear.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 31, 2023

Has it actually set in with people that the Detroit #Lions were legitimately cheated out of #NFL playoff seeding?
— Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) December 31, 2023

The moment my soul was sucked out of my body pic.twitter.com/SmpMeEWdav
— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) December 31, 2023

Taylor Decker not reporting, but asking the referee how their Christmas was, right?

The Detroit Lions got royally screwed on this. Period#OnePride pic.twitter.com/Ve0Zb1pcKC
— Danny Bennett (@RealDannyB) December 31, 2023

Even a Dallas Cowboys fan with the feels:

I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan thankful to win but what was Decker chatting with the ref about if he wasn’t reporting lol #DetroitLions #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/IoV0ObmjcX
— delux poke (@PistolPetesBro) December 31, 2023

The Detroit Lions losing to the Cowboys on the same night the Detroit Pistons snap their 28-game losing streak… pic.twitter.com/a6h1HF7wjU
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) December 31, 2023

This play cost the Lions the 2 seed.

That’s a gigantic swing in the playoffs.

Cowboys get away with another one. pic.twitter.com/XJ4HYSdcKW
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) December 31, 2023

The #Lions are trying to run interference to make the #Cowboys think Skipper is running onto the field and reporting when in reality it’s Decker. Slow mo replay showed Skipper saying, “I didn’t say a f—ing word!” Clearly planned and practiced. Brad Allen announced Skipper though. https://t.co/Flos1flGhr
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 31, 2023

Ryan Clark just WENT OFF about the Detroit Lions getting screwed by the refs on the trick play pic.twitter.com/f8fldnHjl2
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) December 31, 2023

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For more from our Detroit Lions beat writer, Matt Broder, check him out on Twitter here: @mattbro21

Contact: Broder@woodwardsports.com

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