Troy Aikman did not hold back Saturday when he chastised Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes for a missed sack.
The Cowboys took a 7-3 lead into the halftime break at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas thanks to a defensive lapse from Barnes.
Dallas had 3rd-and-13 at their own 8-yard line while trailing 3-0 with just over 3 minutes left in the first quarter.
The Lions blitzed Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, which allowed Barnes to charge at Prescott unimpeded. But Barnes completely botched his tackle and allowed Prescott to find CeeDee Lamb for a 92-yard touchdown.
UNREAL 92-YARD TD 😱😱😱
📺: #DETvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/urKeZaIvCL pic.twitter.com/uVK0ixWWZo— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2023
Aikman ripped into Barnes as the ESPN broadcast showed a replay.
“Derrick Barnes has a free run at Dak Prescott. … I’m not even sure what this is. I mean, you get more in a flag football game than what we just saw there from Derrick Barnes,” said Aikman.
What on EARTH is 55 doing here
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 31, 2023
The former Cowboys QB knew just how critical of an error Barnes’ failed tackle was on 3rd-and-long.
Barnes’ missed sack was essentially a 9-point swing given that the Lions could have forced a safety on the play.
