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In addition to the decision of the officials to throw the flag but ultimately not enforce a pass interference call against Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, Dallas avoided a second penalty on the play.

After the flag was thrown, Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant sprinted to the field without a helmet to argue the call loudly with the officials. Bryant wasn’t penalized for the move, which would have given the Lions 15 yards and a first down, extending a drive when the Lions led, 20-17.

Ultimately, the Lions should have had a first down inside the Dallas 15, since the penalty on Hitchens should have given the Lions the ball at the 29, and then the Lions should have been awarded half the distance on the Bryant penalty. Instead, the Lions took a delay-of-game call on fourth and one, moving the ball from the Dallas 46 to the Detroit 49. Then, a 10-yard shank punt gave the Cowboys the ball on their own 41, 49 yards from the game-winning touchdown.

Still, even without the Hitchens penalty, the Lions should have had a first down on the Dallas 26, because Dez Bryant should have received a personal foul for inexplicably running onto the field without a helmet at a time when the defense was playing.