The officiating staff for last weekend's Cowboys-Lions game will be officiating another high-profile playoff game.
Video appears to show Detroit offensive linemen Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, and Dan Skipper discussing eligibility before being caught by Decker, who is initially successful, and Brad Allen. and his crew became Public Enemy No. 1.
However, the referee ruled that Decker did not report as eligible, a flag was thrown and the play was voided. In the end, the Lions lost 20-19.
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December 10, 2023. East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. Umpire Brad Allen, 122, speaks with the referees during the second half of the New York Jets vs. Houston Texans game at MetLife Stadium. (Vincent Calchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
Post-match explanations contradicted each other. Lions quarterback Jared Goff said Decker reported as an eligible receiver, but the skipper believes he was not. Allen said Skipper reported as an eligible receiver, but then he went to the tackle spot, so he didn't have to report at all. Decker was already in the game.
NFL fans, and apparently the Lions, seemed convinced that the referees had ruled the wrong lineman eligible, robbing the Lions of any chance of a win.
It was later revealed that this was not the first primetime scandal involving Allen's crew.
Now, Allen and his friends will have another big challenge this week.
The crew will be in Baltimore for a key matchup between the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Ravens have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and Lamar Jackson will likely solidify his second MVP award with his five-touchdown performance last weekend. That means the Purple Birds won't have much of a chance to play.
Umpire Brad Allen, 122, checks instant replay during the game between the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023. (Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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But this game means everything to the black and yellow.
The Steelers can't control their own destiny on the road to the playoffs, but wins keep them alive.
If the Steelers win on the road, either the Buffalo Bills or Jacksonville Jaguars would have to lose. Or the Colts-Texans matchup would have to end in a tie.
Losing to the Ravens doesn't officially eliminate Pittsburgh, but they will need a lot of help.
If the Steelers lose, the Jaguars need to win, and for the Denver Broncos to lose, the Colts-Texans game needs to be a tie.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell takes a penalty while attempting a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of a game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. react to. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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But one thing's for sure: the Steelers don't want to root for the game to end in a tie, so Mike Tomlin will be joining Allen and the staff for the 4:30 p.m. ET matinee. One might expect that there would be a long discussion. Saturday.
Tomlin said Mason Rudolph will get the start even though Kenny Pickett is healthy.
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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