3 ridiculously bad calls from refs in NY Giants-Cowboys TNF matchup

One of the biggest things highlighted from the NY Giants Thursday Night Football showdown against the Cowboys was how poor the refereeing was. Not only were some truly atrocious calls made, but the crew seemed confused multiple times throughout the contest.

Now, the refs did not necessarily win or lose the game for either team, but their presence was made known multiple times throughout the matchup. In total, 15 penalties were called with 11 going against the Cowboys, and four being called on the Giants. These three mistakes were easily the worst of the woest:

3. Taunting on CeeDee Lamb during his TD play

The taunting penalty is revered as one of the dumbest rules the NFL has implemented in recent seasons. These players have been working their entire lives to make it to the league, and when they make a big play, they should be allowed to celebrate as they please (for the most part). Despite this, the refs still like to put their foot down in the dumbest way possible at times, and it happened to the Cowboys on Thursday.

You'll never see us support the Cowboys, but goodness this was a bad call. If turning around and looking at your opponent while running into the endzone is worthy of a penalty, then the league is simply too far gone with their rule changes. Lamb flexed a little and tossed the ball on the ground. Big (expletive) deal.

2. Jake Ferguson's holding penalty that was picked up

On the Cowboys' first touchdown drive of the game, the referees seemingly gifted them a score. Toward the end of an 11-play, 60-yard drive, the Cowboys ran a screen for Rico Dowdle, resulting in a touchdown. Except, a flag was thrown on the play, and the instant replay showed a pretty obvious hold from Jake Ferguson on Cor'Dale Flott.

Despite this VERY clear penalty, the refs decided to pick up the flag after reviewing the play, leaving many fans shocked and angered, as the touchdown would have been called back, giving the Giants another chance to defend the score. You can see the clear hold here. There's no reason this should have been missed - this just can't happen in a close game.

1. Daniel Bellinger's facemask that should have gone the other way

On the Giants' drive prior to Dowdle's touchdown that should have been called back, all momentum was killed on what was a solid possession thanks to truly one of the worst calls I have ever seen made by a referee. On 2nd-and-7 on the Cowboys' 37-yard line, the Giants were flagged on a Daniel Jones run. The refs took their sweet time to examine the play, yet still made a horrifically wrong decision.

After the referees announced that the penalty was on Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger for a facemask, the replay booth quickly examined what happened and came to a shocking discovery; Bellinger never touched his opponent's mask. In fact, it was actually Bellinger who had HIS facemask grabbed by Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown:

This play completely killed what was looking to be a successful drive by the Giants, leading them to settle for a field goal. It is truly mind-boggling that the refs threw the flag, examined the play for an extensive amount of time, yet still made such a bad call. How is this even possible?