Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb Dish Polar Opposite Takes on Referees After Cowboys Frustrating Loss to Cardinals
The Dallas Cowboys are in trouble.
After another questionable loss, Dak Prescott’s team has some serious thinking to do before the playoffs start. In a much-debated game, Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals bounced back with a 25-22 victory over Dallas.
There is a lot to unpack from this Week 17 showdown, but it’s safe to say that the Cowboys weren’t too thrilled about the calls by the refs. On the other hand, at least one player on Dallas refused to blame the refs, instead taking it on himself and the rest of the team.
The Cowboys lose to the Cardinals after a questionable fumble call
Murray and the Cardinals overcame Kliff Kingsbury’s shaky track record with a massive victory over the Cowboys.
The Cardinals quarterback continues to play well at AT&T Stadium and delivered after losses in each of the past three weeks. However, this game was marred in some controversy after a questionable call by the referees.
Chase Edmonds appeared to fumble the football with a score of 25-22 in the fourth quarter. But the refs didn’t call it that way.
Even worse, the Cowboys couldn’t challenge because they were out of timeouts.
Instead of a Cowboys possession with a chance to win the game, the Cardinals ran out the clock and escaped Texas with a victory.
It was a brutal turn of events, and the Cowboys weren’t afraid to make their feelings known after the victory.
CeeDee Lamb and DeMarcus Lawrence weren’t afraid to speak out on the refs after the loss
DeMarcus Lawrence was one of many Cowboys to express the frustration with how the refs called the game against the Cardinals.
Besides the fumble, Dallas was hit with 10 penalties for 88 yards, both numbers more than the Cardinals had in the game.
Lawrence wasn’t the only Cowboy to express his displeasure — wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was also not thrilled (h/t Kevin Patra of NFL.com).
“It’s just we couldn’t get a rhythm. The refs wouldn’t let us get a rhythm.”
CeeDee Lamb on the refs
The Cowboys sure couldn’t get into any rhythm. Leighton Vander Esch also blasted the refs for the calls in the game.
Randy Gregory was also frustrated with how the whistle blew in the game.
The reactions from the Cowboys locker room were not pretty, and there were several questionable calls in the game, with the Edmonds non-fumble the most important.
However, one Cowboys player dished a different reaction after the loss.
Micah Parsons deflects the blame off the refs and says the Cowboys need to play better
Yes, the controversial call sealed the fate of the Cowboys in Week 17 and left them with a bitter taste in their mouths, as Lawrence, Lamb, and Gregory spoke on.
But, rookie sensation Micah Parsons had other comments on the play, which show his leadership ability shining through (h/t Todd Brock of Cowboys Wire).
“That fumble, at the end of the day, it is what it is. It shouldn’t have to come down to one play to decide the game.”
Micah Parsons on controversial call
That is a strong quote from Parsons, who is flashing his leadership qualities repeatedly. Yes, it could have changed the course of the game. Then again, there were a lot of plays the Cowboys could have made to turn this into a different result.
Parsons understands that, and instead of blaming the refs, he is encouraging the team to play better as the playoffs approach.
Hopefully, the team can respond to a frustrating ending and bounce back for a Week 18 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.
After that, playoff time and a second Cowboys-Cardinals showdown would be something to watch.
Stats Courtesy of Pro Football Reference
