Ball don’t lie: 3 worst calls from Week 1 in the NFL

3. Officials cost the Cowboys

The header says it all. While rival fans will be quick to point out that the Cowboys are often on the other end of these crushing decisions, it doesn’t erase that just one week into the season, Dallas is the most victimized team in the NFL. Michael Gallup and Jalen Ramsey were fighting for a deep ball that should have set up the Cowboys in field goal range to tie the game with just seconds remaining on the clock. Instead, Gallup was called for OPI for seemingly extending his arm, but the contact was lite enough — and paired with jostling from the Rams CB as well — that it ought to have canceled out. This isn’t even about situational awareness.

That last extension of the arm cost Gallup, as ignoring that sort of contact during live action is tough, to say the least. In the moment, that looks like OPI, and refs aren’t given the benefit of instant replay to question and/or alter their decisions. Even when they are, they’re notoriously stubborn. Per ESPN’s Ed Werder, Tony Corrente didn’t back down postgame.

“I can tell you it was clear and obvious on the field, of a hand into the opposing player. A full arm extension that created separation. In all situations that would be called. We’re not going to allow that at any time of the game,” Corrente said, per Werder.

Officials have a near-impossible job. Having pundits (like myself) pick apart every move is frustrating and unfair, but it’s the occupation they signed up for. Consider this week a solid B-, given the circumstances.