“Decker reported!” – Angry Lions fans put up billboards all over Detroit expressing frustration following controversial penalty vs. Cowboys

The state of Michigan saw a new Billboard up on the streets of Detroit.

“Decker reported!” – Angry Lions fans put up billboards all over Detroit expressing frustration following controversial penalty vs. Cowboys

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker catches a pass for a two point attempt in the end zone during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions on December 30, 2023 (Image via IMAGO)

The Detroit folks are still unhappy after their favorite football team, the Detroit Lions, suffered a controversial 20-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Lions defensive tackle Taylor Decker was at the wrong end of an alleged bad call from referee Brad Allen.

Dan Campbell‘s men scored a late touchdown to close the distance to 21-19 for the Lions. Campbell opted to go for the two-pointer and secure the win. Quarterback Jared Goff found Decker roaming free inside the Cowboys’ end zone to make the score 22-21.

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However, Allen called the play back after several yellows were thrown on the pitch. The head official ruled that Decker’s presence in the game was illegal and chalked off the lead. According to Allen, it was offensive lineman Dan Skipper who reported before the play, not Decker, although after the game he claimed to have done so.

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Detroit still had two more chances to clinch the victory after the controversial decision. The Cowboys went offside on the ensuing play from the Dallas 7-yard line. But they failed on both occasions. The Lions lost the game and, along with it, the chance of being the #1 NFC seed. Since then, Allen’s ruling has been the subject of intense debate throughout the NFL world. A couple of days later, angry Detroit fans put up a billboard saying “Decker Reported.”

The Detroit Lions are looking to finish the 2023 season with a win

After the game, several players, including Campbell, revealed that they followed every procedure. Referee Allen’s ruling was very unfortunate and he will be dealt with accordingly. Instead of being 12-4, the Detroit Lions are currently 11-5. Their Week 19 opponents are their NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings (7-9).

"Decker reported!" - Angry Lions fans put up billboards all over Detroit expressing frustration following controversial penalty vs. Cowboys
Dan Campbell (Image via SI)

Unlike fellow playoff-qualified teams that are choosing to rest key players for their final game day, the Lions aren’t ready to cut any corners.

Campbell said yesterday:

We're going to use our full arsenal and go win this game. That's the objective here.
Dan Campbell addressing the reporters

He also addressed the Vikings quarterback situation, which is now, by no means, a Russian Roulette. But the Lions head coach will prepare whomever Minnesota chooses to play on Sunday.

He then said:

You prepare for all three of them. There are enough things out there conceptually that they like anyway that I don’t think are going to go away. Other than that, you’re trying to prepare for all of them.
Dan Campbell added

The two sides met on Week 17. The Lions won that game 30-24. Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 411 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.

Campbell said as per Heavy.com:

We got to play against Mullens for the first time. We have an idea of how it goes.
Campbell concluded

If Detroit wins over the Vikings and a few other results in the division go in their favor, then the #2 seed would be in their grasp. Campbell’s men need to write their own destiny and then move on to the playoffs.

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