VIDEO: Tripping Penalty That Decided the Game on Cowboys' Final Drive Was an Absolute Garbage Call
By Scott Rogust
The New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys competed in a battle of best offense vs. best defense and, as usual, the defense came out on top at home, with a little help from their friends. Mired in the inclement weather in New England, the Cowboys found themselves down 13-9 with a little over two minutes remaining. On 3rd & 1, quarterback Dak Prescott hit running back Ezekiel Elliott for a supposed three-yard gain. Instead, center Travis Frederick was called for tripping against Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower, the second time this incredibly rare call was made during the contest. Upon further video review, the call by the on-field officials was garbage.
This was called “tripping” on the Cowboys on 3rd and 1 with the game on the line #DALvsNE pic.twitter.com/4raz37NtPI
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 25, 2019
Where's the trip? We'd like to know.
As a result, the Cowboys were moved back 10 yards, and swiftly turned the ball over on downs. To make things sting that much worse, the turnover occurred after Prescott hit Amari Cooper for a supposed 20-yard gain, but official review deemed it was incomplete.
That’s an incomplete pass. And thus a phantom tripping call winds up deciding the most anticipated game of the year. That is an absolute joke. #Cowboys #Patriots
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) November 25, 2019
The Dallas Cowboys will look back at this game with much disappointment, as they could have won if a couple of plays and decisions had gone their way.
More importantly, poor officiating reared its ugly head in an NFL game once again. What is tripping?!