It has happened once again.
The Dallas Cowboys became the latest victim of one of the NFL’s most maligned rules Saturday night against the Detroit Lions.
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb hauled in a reception inside the Detroit five-yard line and attempted to score, but was stopped short and fumbled the ball out of the end zone, resulting in a touchback for the Lions.
A CeeDee Lamb fumble into the end zone results in a touchback and Lions ball!pic.twitter.com/2ymvnvkDBP
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 31, 2023
The rule, which is set to be discussed at the NFL’s offseason meetings, draws a ton of criticism every time it comes up. While it’s the offense’s responsibility to not fumble the ball, it feels unfair for an unrecovered fumble on the sideline anywhere else on the field to stay with the offense while a fumble out of the end zone is an automatic touchback, especially when it’s encouraged to reach the ball out near the goal line to try to score.
In any case, social media had plenty to say about the fumble and turnover.
The Sickos Committee proposed a solution, saying, “if you fumble out of the back of the end zone you should have to go to a penalty box for 2 minutes of game time and your team has to play with 10 men”
if you fumble out of the back of the end zone you should have to go to a penalty box for 2 minutes of game time and your team has to play with 10 men
— 🇸🇲 Sickos Committee 🇸🇲 (@SickosCommittee) December 31, 2023
Andrew Perloff of CBS Sports tweeted, “Fumble out of the end zone going to the other team still exists but everyone wants to get rid of the tush push? Get your priorities straight people.”
Fumble out of the end zone going to the other team still exists but everyone wants to get rid of the tush push? Get your priorities straight people.
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) December 31, 2023
The Athletic’s Grant Paulsen also isn’t a fan of the rule, saying, “The worst rule in football strikes again. So awful. Get rid of it now. Fumble out of bounds through end zone and possession changes and team that didn’t recover gets 20% of the field.”
The worst rule in football strikes again. So awful. Get rid of it now.
Fumble out of bounds through end zone and possession changes and team that didn’t recover gets 20% of the field.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 31, 2023
Not everyone has a problem with the rule, though. One fan said, “Offense is rewarded with 1st downs on 5 yard penalties, spot foul on underthrown balls, let the defense have the fumble out of the end zone”
Offense is rewarded with 1st downs on 5 yard penalties, spot foul on underthrown balls, let the defense have the fumble out of the end zone
— Mike (@mdschaeff) December 31, 2023
