The Dallas Cowboys are expressing their frustration and calling for a thorough investigation into the questionable officiating during Sunday’s clash with the Miami Dolphins.
Micah Parsons now gets called for roughing the passer… #DALvsMIA pic.twitter.com/eCAiyDbjBH
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 24, 2023
Micah Parsons, the standout linebacker for the Cowboys, found himself at the center of several contentious calls. One particularly controversial moment was when the referees penalized Parsons for a “roughing the passer” incident involving Tua Tagovailoa. Here’s a closer look at that play:
INSANE: #Cowboys Micah Parsons continues to be held nearly every play and nothing is called.
LOOK AT THIS. PLAIN AND CLEAR.
😳
(🎥@FootsDaKing)
pic.twitter.com/mgz8RaMUgx— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 24, 2023
#Cowboys DE Micah Parsons has been held once (see image) and hands to the face already. No calls.
This play resulted with the #Dolphins gaining a 1st down at DAL 39-yard line.
31 quarters now Parsons hasn’t gotten a call. pic.twitter.com/W88ysHTykH
— Dominic White (@DomWWhite) December 24, 2023
WILD: #Cowboys Micah Parsons has NOT drawn a holding penalty in 35 straight quarters.
You see 5+ times a game were he is CLEARLY HELD, including today, and NO CALLS.
(Via @GehlkenNFL & @ReloadRex2) pic.twitter.com/V1g1rHvmVH
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 24, 2023
Micah Parsons. The man who is never held.
(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) pic.twitter.com/02AlKnfA9K
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) December 24, 2023
Furthermore, there were multiple instances where the officials failed to flag Miami’s offensive line for blatant holding infractions against Parsons. These incidents left Cowboys fans understandably irate during this crucial Sunday showdown:
Investigate these refs man. I’m tired of it.
— Ray (@rayslenz) December 24, 2023
The refs hate Micah Parsons. It’s official. #Cowboys
— Ernie (@es3_09) December 24, 2023
No holding in 36 quarters is statistically IMPOSSIBLE against the leagues best pass rusher
— Hollywood99.eth (@RussNormandin) December 24, 2023
Cowboys gets no love from the refs 🤷🏾♂️
— ACE Boogie (@VitaminD_J) December 24, 2023
Every time there’s momentum, there’s a penalty.
— iisha Morrison (@Iishamorrison) December 24, 2023
It’s evident that allowing such holding infractions to go unpunished against a player as dynamic as Parsons can be an effective strategy to slow down one of the game’s most explosive playmakers. While it may be frustrating for the Cowboys, it’s a tactic that the Dolphins seem to have successfully employed.