Brad Allen’s referee crew, responsible for the controversial Cowboys-Lions ending, set to be downgraded for the 2023-24 NFL Playoffs

How NFL divides the referees for the playoff games is still a big question.

Brad Allen’s referee crew, responsible for the controversial Cowboys-Lions ending, set to be downgraded for the 2023-24 NFL Playoffs

Brad Allen (Image via ESPN)

Referee Brad Allen and his crew have landed themselves in trouble with the league. Allen became the subject of an alleged poor call right at the death at Arlington, which handed the win to the Dallas Cowboys over the Detroit Lions.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, referee Brad Allen’s crew will be downgraded for the postseason. Schefter wrote on Twitter,

A large part of Brad Allen’s crew is not going to be officiating in the postseason. They’re going to get downgraded.

During the last few seconds at AT&T Stadium, the Lions appeared to have snatched a crucial victory with a 2-point conversion. Lions quarterback Jared Goff hit Taylor Decker inside Dallas’ endzone, which should have given Detroit a 21-20 lead, ending the game.

FS Video

However, refs near the area threw a few flags to haul the play for a second. Moments later, Allen ruled that Decker was an ineligible receiver and that tackle Dan Skipper was in an illegal formation. Then the Lions failed to convert the following 2-point attempt, handing the Cowboys the win.

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell was at a loss for words during the post-game press conference. He revealed that he had taken every possible measure, but how can something like a player not reporting to the referee happen?

A video later showed that Decker, Skipper, and Penei Sewell all went to Allen before the play. They appear to let the referee know about their status. Allen later said in the pool report after the game,

70 Dan Skipper, who had reported during the game a couple of times, reported to me as eligible. Then he lined up at the tackle position. So, actually, he didn’t have to report at all.

Brad Allen and his chest of controversies

As per Schefter, this wasn’t the first time Mr. Brad Allen had made an alleged grave mistake that directly affected the outcome of a game. In the Week 13 game between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen’s crew awarded a timely pass interference that handed the Packers the win.

Brad Allen's referee crew, responsible for the controversial Cowboys-Lions ending, set to be downgraded for the 2024 NFL Playoffs
Dan Campbell arguing with Brad Allen (Image via SI)

Packers cornerback Carrington Vallentine interfered with Chiefs wide receiver Marques Valdez-Scantling. It prevented the Chiefs from being inside the Packers 5-yard line. The officials did not flag for a penalty.

Whether Allen still gets the chance to officiate in the playoffs remains to be seen. And on top of that, how they divide the referees for the game is still a big question.

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