The refs mistakenly called a penalty on New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger. John Jones-Imagn Images

Watch: Giants drive stalls because of horrible missed penalty

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Sep 26, 2024 8:50 PM ET

The New York Giants had a strong drive going in the first quarter of their Thursday night game against the Dallas Cowboys, only to have it stall out because of facemask penalty on tight end Daniel Bellinger.

There was just one problem with the call.

Bellinger did not do anything wrong. In fact, it was his facemask that was pulled by Cowboys defender DeMarvion Overshown.

Officials botched this facemask call.

Unacceptable.pic.twitter.com/znQJ8VEXAg https://t.co/SJDXnzA0yT
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 27, 2024

Instead of giving the Giants an additional 15 yards, a first down and moving them deep into Cowboys territory, they were instead backed up 15 yards and faced a second-and-18 situation.

That was a 30-yard flip in field position.

Instead of the drive continuing on for a potential touchdown, the Giants had to settle for a 52-yard field goal from kicker Greg Joseph. That is the type of call and play that can completely change a game, even if it is still early.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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