Lions' Campbell, Decker, Goff React to Officials Decision

Lions address blown call after a one-point loss.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell had his plan set in stone. 

After holding the Dallas Cowboys to a field goal and getting the ball back with 1:41 remaining, and trailing 20-13, the Lions knew the objective. Campbell's mindset never wavered from playing for the win, and he always planned to go for two after scoring. 

When Amon-Ra St. Brown reached the end zone with 23 seconds left, the Lions knew the objective. However, that's when everything went haywire. 

In the eyes of those in the play, offensive tackle Taylor Decker approached the lead official with the intention of reporting as an eligible receiver. However, when Decker caught what was believed to be the game-winning conversion, yellow flags flew. 

It was determined by the officials that it was extra offensive lineman Dan Skipper, not Decker, reporting as eligible. What ensued was an offsides penalty gifting Detroit its original field position and an incomplete pass that ended the game. 

Both Skipper and Decker told reporters after the game that it was Decker who reported as eligible. 

"All I really want to say on it, just so I don't get myself in trouble, is I did exactly what coach told me to do and went to the ref, said, 'Report.' Yeah, I don't know," Decker said. "That was my understanding too. Dan brings up the possibility of those sorts of plays pregame. I did what I was told to do, did how we did it in practice week and that's about all I really want to touch on with that." 

Video Appears to Show Taylor Decker Reporting Properly

Goff was just as flummoxed. A camera angle prior to the play shows Goff indicating for Decker to report to the officials. However, he received the same explanation that Campbell got in the moments after the play occurred.

“Pretty confused," Goff said. "What I do know, and I don’t know if I’ll get fined for this, but I do know that Decker reported, I do know Dan Skipper did not, and I do know that they said Dan Skipper did. So it’s unfortunate.”

Campbell appeared livid in the moment, an emotion that was evident in the moments following the game. 

"Two people can't report. I don't want to talk about it," Campbell said. "I explain everything pregame, to a T. Okay? I did that, 70 reported, 68 (Decker) didn't, we threw it to 68, that was the explanation." 

After the game, official Brad Allen told pool reporter Calvin Watkins that it was Skipper who reported as eligible. 

"So, we had a situation where if you were going to have an ineligible number occupy an eligible position, you have to report that to the referee," Allen explained. "On this particular play, number 70, who had reported during the game a couple of times, reported to me as eligible. 

"Then he lined up at the tackle position," Allen continued further. "So, actually, he didn't have to report at all. Number 68, who ended up going downfield and touching the pass, did not report. Therefore, he is an ineligible touching a pass that goes beyond the line, which makes it a foul. So, the issue is, number 70 did report, number 68 did not." 

Allen also addressed the apparent conversation with he, Decker and Skipper. He stated that in that moment, Skipper is reporting as eligible while Decker is not.

"That conversation is where number 70 reports to me, and then I go to the defensive team and I say to them 'Number 70 has reported as an eligible receiver,' so they will be aware of who has reported and then I return to my position," Allen said. "That was the conversation with the defensive line."