It took the officials less than two full drives into tonight’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants to make an egregiously bad call.
After forcing a 3-and-out on Dallas’ opening possession, the Giants moved into enemy territory on their first march. On 2nd-and-7 from the Cowboys’ 37, a designed run by quarterback Daniel Jones picked up four yards.
However, officials whistled Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger for a 15-yard face mask penalty. Instead of 3rd-and-3, New York was left with 2nd-and-18.
There was only one problem though. Replay showed that Bellinger was actually the one who had his facemask grabbed by Dallas’ DeMarvion Overshown.
Refs throw a flag on Giants player Bellinger but on the replay it looks like he is the one who gets his facemask grabbed. #DALvsNYG pic.twitter.com/IVfGHRvdxe
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) September 27, 2024
Almost immediately, viewers realized the officials’ error. The Giants wound up recovering to take an early 3-0 lead on a 52-yard Greg Joseph field goal, but the penalty changed the complexion of the drive.
Had it been correctly assessed, New York would have had a 1st-and-10 inside the Dallas 20-yard line, which might have turned in to six points, though no one can say for certain how things would have ultimately turned out.
Amazon Prime Video game analyst Kirk Herbstreit made note of the mistake during a return from commercial following the Giants’ possession. It wouldn’t shock us if the NFL releases something on the miscue in the coming days.
Dallas currently leads the Giants 7-3 late in the first quarter.
Related: DeMarcus Ware Has Warning For Cowboys Before Game vs. Giants