Lost in the hubbub that emerged after officials flagged Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens for pass interference was the entry of Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant into the field of play, sans helmet, to argue the call.
Per a league source, referee Pete Morelli or any member of his crew could have flagged Bryant for unsportsmanlike conduct. The NFL doesn’t condone players coming that far onto the field to argue a call. However, it appears that, in the heat of the moment, a little leeway (or more than a little leeway) was provided to the Cowboys’ bench.
Also, Bryant came onto the field while the officials were in the process of trying to figure out whether a foul had or hadn’t occurred. That was the primary concern. Still, Bryant shouldn’t have entered the field of play.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the league office fines Bryant for the infraction. To fine him would be to admit that he should have been penalized, and not that he simply could have been penalized through the exercise of discretion by the officials.
If a penalty had been called on Bryant, the Lions would have received an automatic first down at the Dallas 31. Instead, the Lions opted to punt on fourth and one. After a delay-of-game penalty, the Lions punted from the Detroit 49. A 10-yard shanks-fer-nuttin’ left the ball at the Cowboys’ 41. They Cowboys then marched the length of the field for the winning touchdown.