October 28th 2024.
The postgame press conference was buzzing with reporters as Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks stepped up to the podium. As a 10-year veteran, Kendricks was no stranger to these types of events and knew how to handle the questions with finesse. However, even he couldn't hide his frustration when asked about the controversial touchdown by 49ers' George Kittle in their 30-24 victory on Sunday night.
When the topic of offensive pass interference came up, Kendricks couldn't help but express his disbelief. "They threw two flags, so I thought it was a guaranteed call," he told the Bay Area News Group. It was a pivotal moment in the game, with wide receiver Chris Conley's questionable block freeing up Kittle for the touchdown. Despite the two flags, referee Bill Vinovich ultimately declared that there was no penalty for offensive pass interference.
As the discussion continued, it became apparent that Vinovich's name was not a stranger to controversy. He was also the referee in the 49ers' playoff game against the Cowboys in 2022 and officiated both of Kansas City's Super Bowl victories over San Francisco. It seemed like Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy was not the only one in the Dallas locker room who was displeased with the officiating.
Kendricks acknowledged that the 49ers' ability to execute crossing routes played a big role in Kittle's success. "We know who their target is, but they have a lot of other weapons and they try to spread it across the field," he explained. On the other hand, Conley defended his block, stating that he didn't think it warranted a penalty.
In the end, the call on Kittle's touchdown and his overall performance were not the only reasons for the Cowboys' defeat. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis downplayed the significance of their fourth consecutive loss to the 49ers, stating that they were just trying to get out of a rut. He also gave credit to Kittle for his impressive performance and the 49ers' coach, Kyle Shanahan, for his strategic plays.
Despite the Cowboys being outgained in yardage and giving up 21 consecutive points in the third quarter, the topic of poor officiating was still looming. As McCarthy left the press conference, he was asked about a potential interference on a deep pass to receiver KaVontae Turpin in their final possession. He simply chuckled and shrugged, perhaps hinting at his frustration with the calls.
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