The Dallas Cowboys were involved in another officiating controversy for the second week in a row.
This one didn't favor the Cowboys, though.
Tony Romo's fourth-down throw to Dez Bryant during Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game at Green Bay was initially ruled a catch at the Packers' 1. But it was overturned when it was ruled that Bryant did not maintain control of the ball. The Packers held on to beat the Cowboys 26-21 and advance to the NFC Championship Game, where they'll play the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
The Detroit Lions, who lost to the Cowboys 24-21 in an NFC wild card round game Jan. 4 when a controversial call by the officials went Dallas' way, took to Twitter and posted their reaction.
"Sorry @dallascowboys. We know the feeling." (The Lions posted a photo of Calvin Johnson's touchdown that was called back against the Chicago Bears in 2010.)
Several Lions players had their own reactions.
"Poetic Justice," offensive lineman Corey Hilliard said. "Sorry Cowboys fans, but this is hilarious."
"It's funny how life works," offensive lineman Cornelius Lucas said. "Haha."
"Karma always comes back around," said tight end Eric Ebron, who posted two emoticons of Kermit the Frog and a drink, depicting the Internet meme that features the Muppets character with the phrase "But that's none of my business."
Other reactions from Twitter on Sunday:
• New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.: "I by no means cheer for Dallas but I have no idea what or how thts [that's] not a catch. Thts [that's] a joke."
• Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice: "Tough rule on that Dez catch."
• Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James: "At what point did he not have the ball though!!?"
• Former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith: "No need to review this play, it is a catch."
• NBC Sports analyst and former NFL coach Tony Dungy: "Even though 99% of people would say Dez play should be a catch -- including me -- it has been consistently called no catch for the last 5 years."
• Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban: "Tuck rule. Part 2."
• New England Patriots defensive back Brandon Browner: "The officials got that Dez Bryant no catch wrong. Just cost them boys their season."
He said it
Newsday NFL reporter Bob Glauber wrote Monday about whether the New York Jets should draft Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston.
"If the Jets are sitting there at No. 6 and Winston still is on the board, there will be a major temptation to see Winston as the answer to their problems at quarterback. But as we've seen too often in the past with teams in need of a quarterback, there is a risk of reaching too high," Glauber wrote.
"Among the teams to have found that out in recent years: Jacksonville with Blaine Gabbert, Minnesota with Christian Ponder, Denver with [Tim] Tebow, Buffalo with EJ Manuel and perhaps Washington with [Robert] Griffin [III].
"The lesson here: You can't wish away significant flaws with a quarterback just because you need one and take him with a first-round pick.
"In many cases, it's better to take the more promising prospect -- say, Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper -- even if he doesn't play the position you need most.
"Winston will be another litmus test for that theory, one the Jets might face. Whatever they do, they'll need to keep these two words in mind when considering the Florida State quarterback:
"Buyer beware."
SPORTS QUIZ
Who coached Dez Bryant at Lufkin (Texas) High School?
ANSWER
Ozark native and former Arkadelphia coach John Outlaw
Sports on 01/13/2015