Unhappy football fans think the NFL refs are “rigging” the Dallas Cowboys-Detroit Lions ‘Thursday Night Football’ game after a head-scratching call in the first quarter.
Unfortunately, fans are all too used to the NFL refs making controversial game-changing calls these days. It happened in the Buffalo Bills-Pittsburgh Steelers game at Acrisure Stadium just four days ago,
And as Lions fans know, the officials made a game-changing mistake in their heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving last week. Lions fans might be used to it by now, but this no-call against the Cowboys for an apparent “neutral zone infraction” was truly something else:
Kirk Herbstreit thinks the refs made a good call by not calling the Cowboys offsides, what do you think?? pic.twitter.com/9FVeddNxSy
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) December 5, 2025
Kirk Herbstreit agreed with the no-call, but NFL analyst Warren Sharp saw it the other way:
none of these defenders are in the neutral zone? pic.twitter.com/JtcTVerMph
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 5, 2025
“NFL really must have Dallas scripted to make playoffs. Garbage,” wrote a user.
@lions get robbed again on Thursday Night Football @MiFBNetwork Cowboys jumped offsides. Refs kept their flags pocketed. Was 3rd and 2.
NFL really must have Dallas scripted to make playoffs. Garbage. pic.twitter.com/EGzONgKhzx
— Kevin Kane (@KPKBaltimore) December 5, 2025
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“@NFL your officiating is blatantly cheating. You’re a joke of an organization. This is all deliberate,” a user commented.
@NFL your officiating is blatantly cheating. You’re a joke of an organization. This is all deliberate.
— Out of the Mitten (@lovethemitten) December 5, 2025
“Can’t believe the refs missed that obvious false start on the Cowboys. Lions just got robbed. This game feels rigged,” wrote another.
Can’t believe the refs missed that obvious false start on the Cowboys. Lions just got robbed. This game feels rigged… 🤦♂️ #DETvsDAL”❤️ Like
pic.twitter.com/JgSwk4a757
— Rudra Sukhadia (@Rudra221098) December 5, 2025
“Why cant you challenge that, refs cant be trusted for anything. Make everything challengeable,” one fan said.
Why cant you challenge that, refs cant be trusted for anything. Make everything challengeable
— Robert Canfield (@RobbyCan81) December 5, 2025
Per ESPN, the NFL refs called four penalties against each team in the first 30 minutes. The Cowboys’ infractions accounted for 43 yards, while the Lions’ fouls only cost them 25 yards.
