Fansided

Ball don’t lie: 3 worst calls from Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season

By Mark Powell

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Umpire Dan Ferrell #64 talks to Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 04: Umpire Dan Ferrell #64 talks to Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera talks with an official against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera talks with an official against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Are refs allowed to call penalties on the Cowboys?

Technically, yes, as Dallas does field an NFL team. And while it may seem disproportionate at times, there is no real evidence to suggest that any team receives preferential treatment from NFL officials.

Yet, on Sunday night’s Washington Football Team debacle, in which the Cowboys shut the door on the rest of the NFC East, Dallas got the benefit of the doubt.

Was the Cowboys center…running a route of his own? That’s more than one small step for offensive linemen.

At the time of the missed call, the Cowboys were only up by a touchdown, though they would go on to lead 42-6 by halftime. Sunday night’s affair was never really all that close, so it’s easy to disregard such a missed penalty.

However, you can bet the officiating crew will hear about such a missed call from the league. Anything that can be directly pointed to by pundits like myself or on social media isn’t great for the brand, especially when it benefits a big market team like the Cowboys.

Dallas is the best team in its division, and they’ll rightly represent the NFC East in the playoffs. But sheesh that’s a tough miss.

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