Refs missed blatant hold on Suh

ByAdam Schefter ESPN logo
Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The NFL admitted to the Detroit Lions on Tuesday that officials missed a blatant hold on Ndamukong Suh on a crucial fourth-down conversion from Tony Romo to Jason Witten with six minutes left in Sunday's wild-card game.



The conversion happened after the disputed Brandon Pettigrew play and before the Cowboys' go-ahead touchdown.



Had holding been called, it would have put the Cowboys in a fourth-and-16 hole on Detroit's side of the field. Dallas likely would have punted and Detroit still would have had the lead.



NFL head of officials Dean Blandino said Monday that the non-call on pass interference against Pettigrew by Cowboys linebackerAnthony Hitchenswas debatable, but holding definitely should have been called on the later play.



Lions quarterbackMatthew Staffordwore a microphone for Sunday's game, and the audio will air Tuesday night on "Inside the NFL" on Showtime.



"Can we explain that or no?" Stafford reportedly said after the officials picked up the penalty flag on the Pettigrew incompletion. "Just flat-out overturning a pass interference call?"



Stafford later could be heard yelling, "Hooome cookin!"



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