Fansided

Worst call against each NFL team in their history

By Mike Phillips

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Referee Craig Wrolstad #4 reviews a play during a game between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Referee Craig Wrolstad #4 reviews a play during a game between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions tries to break a tackle by Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on September 29, 2013, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions tries to break a tackle by Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on September 29, 2013, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Dallas Cowboys: Bennie Barnes is called for pass interference in Super Bowl XIII

The Cowboys have been hosed a few times, including Dez Bryant’s overturned catch in Green Bay during the playoffs and the fact that Deion Sanders probably interfered with Michael Irvin during the 1994 playoffs. We’re going back to Super Bowl XIII, however, when Dallas cornerback Bennie Barnes was called for pass interference after allegedly tripping Steelers’ receiver Lynn Swann midway through the fourth quarter. The 33-yard penalty put the ball on Dallas’ 23 and Franco Harris ran for a 22-yard touchdown to make it a 28-17 game, a play that significantly altered the end of the 35-31 Pittsburgh win.

Detroit Lions: The Calvin Johnson rule

The NFL’s whole catch controversy started in 2010 when Johnson caught a touchdown pass from Shaun Hill to give the Lions a 20-19 lead over the Bears with 31 seconds to go. As he was going to the ground, Johnson put the football on the ground with his hand on top of it and referees reversed the call, claiming he didn’t complete the process of the catch. Detroit went on to lose and the rule has been one of the biggest officiating disasters of the modern NFL.

Denver Broncos: Tory James gets called for pass interference in the playoffs

The Broncos experienced a lot of playoff heartbreak in the John Elway era and the referees contributed an assist in 1997. With Jacksonville in town and trailing 12-3 midway through the second quarter, James intercepted a Mark Brunell pass but was called for a highly questionable pass interference. Given new life, the Jaguars scored on the drive and rallied to beat the Broncos 30-27.

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