This one is getting away from the Dallas Cowboys. After establishing a 10-6 lead at halftime, the Cowboys have quickly allowed 14 unanswered points and now trail 27-10 in the third quarter.
Dak Prescott's second interception of the night may prove to be the game's turning point, but it was only a matter of time until refereeing became the story on Sunday Night Football.
The 49ers turned Prescott's interception into an easy touchdown a two-yard pass from Brock Purdy to George Kittle, who was wide open in the end zone. It turns out, there was a reason for that. He's nearest defender, safety Donovan Wilson, was blown up by a pick play.
Both nearby officials threw a flag for offensive pass interference. After further review, though, they picked up the flag and the touchdown stood. This slow motion clip provided by The Athletic's Jon Machota shows the Cowboys got the short end of the stick.
Refs screwed Cowboys by picking up flag on crucial 49ers TD
This drew two flags, but was later determined to not be offensive pass interference pic.twitter.com/4BLt2s0Nef
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 28, 2024
The explanation on the NBC broadcast made zero sense. Color analyst Cris Collinsworth actually pushed back on the explanation and the call in general.
If that isn't offensive pass interference, then the league can expect teams to spam pick plays at the goal line. The NFL is a copycat league. Offensive play-callers will happily exploit this apparent loophole.
Will this be the reason the Cowboys lose? Absolutely not. But it was a four-penalty penalty at a turning point in the game. A 10-point deficit feels insurmountable for Dallas right now. Holding the 49ers to a field goal would have kept it a one-possession game.
The 49ers instead took all of the momentum and they later delivered the (likely) knockout blow on their ensuing possession with a Brock Purdy rushing touchdown after the Cowboys went three and out.
It is duly noted that San Francisco isn't in that position if not for Prescott's interception. Prescott deserves more blame than the refs. Nobody is saying otherwise. However, we can criticize Prescott's play while also acknowledging the officials utterly botched a call they got right in real time.
That's the maddening part. Two separate flags were thrown. What could have possibly been said to make them overturn the call?
Things were going to snowball for Dallas in the second half regardless if the call was upheld and the 49ers kicked a field goal on that possession. However, this decision just further proves that inept officiating is having a seismic impact around the league on a weekly basis.