By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions aren’t letting Sunday’s bizarre officiating moment fade quietly into the background — and honestly, why should they?
A day after the 41–34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the team will raise a formal query with the NFL over a touchdown call that left just about everyone inside Ford Field doing a double take.
The Play Everyone’s Still Talking About
The moment in question came on Colby Parkinson’s touchdown, a play that seemed straightforward in real time — until the replays rolled in.
Multiple angles appeared to show Parkinson’s knee hitting the turf before the ball crossed the goal line. Slow motion. Freeze frames. Different views. Same conclusion from most watching: something didn’t add up. Yet despite all that, officials allowed the ruling on the field to stand.
And just like that, a pivotal moment in a tight, back-and-forth game slipped through Detroit’s fingers.
“That Was as Good as I Got”
When Campbell addressed reporters Monday afternoon, his frustration was clear — not fiery, just worn and exasperated.
“We’re going to ask about it,” Campbell said. “This is, it’s like I said last night, the call stands. That was as good as I got.”
That quote alone tells the story. No detailed breakdown. No real explanation. Just a ruling that stayed put and a coaching staff left searching for clarity.
Why This Query Matters
Reaching out to the league office after controversial calls is standard practice. Teams do it all the time. But this one feels different — not just because of the call itself, but because of how little communication followed it.
In a one-score game where momentum swung back and forth, a single ruling can reshape the entire afternoon. For Detroit, this wasn’t about blaming officials for a loss — it was about understanding how such a call survives replay review.
Turning the Page — But Not Forgetting
The Lions now shift their focus to Week 16, knowing there’s no rewind button on Sunday’s outcome. Still, the query stands, and so does the frustration.
Maybe the NFL provides clarity. Maybe it doesn’t. Either way, this is one of those moments that lingers — a reminder that in the margins of close games, answers matter almost as much as outcomes.