What are the 5 worst calls in NFL postseason history?

Pete Morelli picks up pass interference flag

It’s been just over a year, but the dust is still settling regarding what exactly happened at the end of the now infamous Wild Card Game between the Lions and Cowboys last season.

With a three-point lead and just under nine minutes to go, the Lions were driving into Dallas territory to possibly seal the game. Matt Stafford attempted to hit tight end Brandon Pettigrew on a pass inside the Dallas 30 that hit linebacker Anthony Hitchens in the back, with a flag down for interference.

Hitchens certainly appeared to commit pass interference on the play, as he never turned his head around and made contact with Pettigrew, which will be called interference more often than not. It would have been controversial but at least a bit understandable if no flag had come down in the first place.

However, crew chief Pete Morelli decided to pick up the pass interference flag after a discussion, something that almost never happens. The fact that Bryant came on to the field and went nuts right as the flag hopefully didn’t impact the crew’s decision, but it was an all-around bad look for Morelli and company.

The Lions were forced to punt rather than have a first down deep in Dallas territory, and the Cowboys would go on to win 24-20. While it wasn’t the only reason Detroit lost the game, that first down with the correct interference call would have put it in very good shape.

As it could have been the Lions’ first playoff win since 1991, this call won’t be forgotten in Detroit or anywhere else soon.

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