NFL playoffs schedule and results: Dallas advances with 4th-quarter comeback

There was a time when the playoffs had their own set of overtime rules, but the NFL elected in 2012 to standardize the extra period. That means the postseason uses largely the same old overtime you’ve been watching all regular season, the only difference being the game obviously can’t end in a tie.

In case you need a refresher, here you go: NFL overtime works as a modified sudden death, where, to quote the rule book, “each team gets a chance to possess the ball unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession.”

The Detroit News asked President Obama what he thought of the controversial call in Sunday’s Lions-Cowboys playoff game ahead of his trip to Michigan, and he had this to say:

Obama says he’d leave it to experts to determine why the call happened the way it did, which has already happened: The NFL’s head of officiating said a defensive holding call should have been assessed against Dallas.

Officials initially did throw a flag and announced defensive pass interference, which would have given the Lions a first down with just over eight minutes remaining. But without explanation, the flag was waved off, setting up a fourth-and-1. Detroit punted and Dallas promptly drove downfield for the game-winning touchdown.

Blandino admitted it was a “close call that could have went either way,” but noted the refs should have done a better job of communicating among themselves and with the crowd.

I’ll spare you talk of conspiracies and instead attempt to take you through the game’s final eight minutes or so, breaking down the series of crazy events after which Dallas emerged victorious.

OK, first, let’s set up the game situation. The Lions have the ball at the Cowboys’ 45-yard line, driving, and now face a third-down situation with a yard to go with 8:25 to go in the game, leading 20-17. Detroit sets up in a “22” personnel grouping -- two tight ends and two running backs -- to make the Cowboys believe a run play is coming.

Luck was masterful -- in command all afternoon long -- and made a number of tough throws, including this gorgeous touch-throw deep to the sideline for a first down on third-and-11.

(via @Jose8BS)

Head referee Pete Morelli told the press pool in Dallas that the head linesman overturned the call because of information he received from another official.

Face-guarding is a technique by which a defender blocks the sight-lines of a receiver without initiating contact. It’s a legal technique in both college football and the NFL, despite Morelli being confused about its legality in the NCAA.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell was careful to note that the loss was about more than one play, but said he never got an acceptable explanation from the refs.

Former NFL officials quickly came out admonishing the no-call.

It’s not going to change the outcome of the game, but maybe it feels a little better that he acknowledged it, Lions fans?

Suh excused himself from the podium briefly, and appeared to be crying as he left:

He returned to make his remarks:

But the game didn’t end after that. In fact, the Lions had the lead in the fourth quarter and the ball in enemy territory. By any estimation, the Lions were still in the driver’s seat to win.

They had a fourth-and-1 on the opposing 46. At first, they lined up to go for it. But they didn’t.

Buoyed by a fourth-down conversion and two third-down defensive penalties by the Lions, the Cowboys marched 59 yards in close to six minutes, capping the drive with Romo’s 8-yard completion to Williams, who scored twice in the game.

After a slow start, Romo finished the day 19-of-31 for 293 yards and two touchdowns.

Next weekend’s schedule (all times ET):

AFC Divisional Game 1: (1) New England Patriots vs. (6) Baltimore Ravens, 4:35 p.m.

THEN, after the Lions continued downfield, Lawrence redeemed himself in full with the game-ending sack on Matthew Stafford:

The Cowboys took the lead with less than three minutes to play against the Lions, which naturally led to your obligatory “Here’s Chris Christie partying in the owner’s box” shot. Such unbridled joy.

I haven’t seen happiness like this from a New Jerseyan since the ducks landed in Tony Soprano’s pool.

A critical third-down pass attempt became the most critical call of the Wild Card playoff round when Anthony Hitchens of the Cowboys was called for pass interference on Brandon Pettigrew of the Lions. Referees initially called this as a penalty and the flag was thrown. Officials went so far as to announce the penalty to a chorus of boos. It would have resulted in a Detroit first down, late in the game and with the Lions up by three.

Then a wild Dez Bryant appeared.

You had to say it Joe Buck, didn’t you? At least it’s not like this is a super important game and that field goal would have been critical to Dallas’ chances to get back in this game. That would be horrible if it were true.

What’s that for, Scott Linehan?

Is that for calculating Tony Romo’s passer rating on the fly? For determining how badly the Lions are beating the Cowboys in the first half down to the decimal point? What could it be?

The Lions just went on the longest drive possible against the Cowboys. Thanks to a beautiful punt from Chris Jones, Dallas downed the ball here:

But the Lions were actually even further from the end zone: a penalty on the punt pushed the team back half the distance to the goal. I like to imagine the ref trying to figure out how to enforce that quarter-yard penalty.

Who said Matthew Stafford didn’t have wheels? Not literally, because then he’d be playing in Heelys, and that would be silly. Dude, you could have had him if you just wrapped up. Instead you just look foolish.

Golden Tate’s game against the Cowboys didn’t start out so well. He took this huge shot on a punt return.

But for those of you worrying about his well-being, you can stop. Here he is four plays later going 51 yards to the house to put the Lions up, 7-0.

The Colts have taken a commanding 20-10 lead over the Bengals with this beautiful 36-yard strike from Andrew Luck to rookie wideout Donte Moncrief.

The fan may have been hoping that the sign would influence Nugent’s kick to go wide left. Instead, it provided a helpful guideline.

It’s actually not the punch in the groin that causes Herron to fumble -- Darqueze Dennard rips at the ball while the two are falling to the ground. But still, a painful play for Herron both physically and emotionally.

We don’t know for sure if Dennard was going for a groinpunch or just wanted to get a hand on his opponent as he chased from behind, but man, that’s a closed fist moving forward with force.

It looks like Pacman Jones apologizes to this cameraman, because the cameraman gives him the universal hand gesture for “no worries, I’m sure all of my bones will heal themselves with time.”