So about the Dallas Cowboys getting a chance to beat the Detroit Lions. The game got away from Dallas in the first quarter after Dak Prescott threw an interception in the red zone, with the team already trailing 7-3. That’s how vulnerable each possession was for the Cowboys offense.

In a game where touchdowns were needed to keep pace with the Lions’ high-powered offense, which was running circles around Mike Zimmer’s injury-depleted defense, field goals and turnovers were a recipe for disaster.

“Disaster” is a good word to describe the Cowboys’ performance. They trailed 27-6 at halftime and allowed Detroit to score on the first possession of the third quarter.

It’s clear the Lions want to send a message after losing to Dallas in controversial fashion last season. Head coach Dan Campbell remembers that loss all too well and he made an excellent callback to that game as his Lions thrashed the Cowboys.

On the very first offensive play for the Lions, they reported offensive lineman Dan Skipper as an eligible receiver. On Detroit’s final possession of the first half, Campbell had both Skipper and Tackle Taylor Decker declared eligible. The play culminated with a David Montgomery touchdown run – his second of the first half.

In last season’s matchup, the Lions scored a potential tying touchdown with 23 seconds remaining in regulation. Ever the aggressor, Campbell opted to go for two and the win, but he added a little spice to the game when Decker cached the pass in the end zone.

However, the officials threw a flag and claimed Skipper was the only offensive lineman to report as eligible. However, replays quickly showed that Skipper, Decker and even left tackle Penei Sewell all declared their eligibility before the game.

In a league plagued by grotesque refereeing, that was one of the worst decisions in recent NFL history. It was so bad that Brad Allen becoming a playoff referee was a toss-up.

As much as we’d like to give credit to Campbell, this was excellent trolling. It’s one thing to make a statement on the first play of the game, but Campbell rubbed salt in the Cowboys’ wound by having Skipper and Decker declare their eligibility when they were already ahead by three scores .

This performance couldn’t get more embarrassing.

More Cowboys news and analysis