Thursday Night Football delivered plenty of drama — but few moments were as jaw-dropping as the controversial offensive pass interference call that left Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit openly stunned in the broadcast booth.
Late in the game, Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson failed to secure a pass near the end zone, and nearly everyone inside the stadium assumed the flag would go against Detroit linebacker Alex Anzalone. Even Herbstreit initially read the play that way. Instead, the referee shocked viewers by announcing offensive pass interference on Dallas — a call that instantly flipped the momentum and crushed the Cowboys’ fading comeback hopes.
Michaels and Herbstreit didn’t hide their disbelief. Both immediately questioned the ruling and turned to rules analyst Terry McAulay for clarity. His response only fueled the controversy: McAulay admitted he did not see offensive pass interference on the play. That admission sent the booth into further confusion and quickly ignited outrage across social media.
Within minutes, the clip was everywhere. Fans, analysts, and former players debated how such a call could be made in such a pivotal moment — especially with even the NFL’s most experienced broadcast voices unable to find justification.
While officiating controversies are nothing new, this one hit differently. When Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit are openly baffled, it tells you everything. One flag didn’t just alter the game — it dominated the conversation long after the final whistle.
TNF Booth in Disbelief After Controversial Flag Stuns Cowboys, Ignites Outrage
