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Terry McAulay calls out controversial Jake Ferguson pass interference call during Cowboys vs. Lions

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax12/05/25BarkleyTruax

The officials threw a controversial flag for offensive pass interference during the fourth quarter between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Trailing 37-27, Dallas took a shot to the end zone and was penalized on the play.

Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson was working his route on Lions LB Alex Anzalone. He performed a swim move around the defender and went up for the ball. Ferguson was unable to haul in the catch near the end zone. The penalty was declined by the Lions and the Cowboys were forced to kick a field goal.

“I just see him kind of swimming through,” NFL rules analyst Terry McAulay during the broadcast. “I don’t see offensive pass interference. He swims through right there, which is perfectly legal and then gets grabbed. I don’t see offensive pass interference at all.”

The field goal cut Detroit’s lead to one score at the time. However, the Lions would ice the game late in the fourth quarter with a three-play, 51-yard drive to give them a 44-30 lead. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott threw an interception on the following drive to seal the win for Detroit.

Prescott finished the game with 376 passing yards on 31-47 attempts with one touchdown and two interceptions. Ferguson caught five of those passes for 58 yards. Dallas was led by CeeDee Lamb‘s six receptions for 121 yards, and Ryan Flournoy’s nine catches for 115 yards and Prescott’s lone touchdown.

Lions QB Jared Goff throw for 309 yards and a touchdown during the winning effort. Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 120 yards of total offense, including three rushing touchdowns. David Montgomery added 60 rushing yards and another touchdown to the rushing effort on the night.

The loss drops Dallas to 6-6-1 on the season and will remain in second place behind the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East race. It ended a three-game winning streak for the Cowboys. Dallas has four games left on their regular season schedule.

This includes divisional matchups vs. the Washington Commanders and New York Giants in consecutive matchups to end the year. With the Commanders and Giants boasting a combined 5-20 record, this could bode well for Dallas’ potential playoff push down the stretch.

Next up for Dallas is a matchup vs. the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. For Detroit, the Lions improve to 8-5 and will take on the Rams in Los Angeles next Sunday.