Dallas Cowboys LB Jaylon Smith got away with a devastating helmet-to-helmet blow to RB Alvin Kamara during Thursday night’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Dirty Helmet Hit On Alvin Kamara Draws Ire, Controversy

Last night, the Cowboys defense shocked the world as the team was able to shut down the Saints’ high-powered offense and walk off with a 13-10 victory.

Early in the fourth, Drew Brees threw a third-and-long screen pass to star running back Kamara. Kamara scampered eight yards up the right side, where he was met by Cowboys linebacker Smith, who launched himself head-first at Kamara’s helmet.

Kamara was knocked from the game and eventually had to be taken to the Saints’ locker room.

Jaylon Smith somehow not flagged for this helmet-to-helmet hit on Alvin Kamara: https://t.co/sUdjKKTMTJ pic.twitter.com/OVMJR1hZxH

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) November 30, 2018

In the replay, you can clearly see Smith’s head lowering before the tackle, which is a direct violation of the NFL’s helmet-to-helmet rule.

Contact does not have to be to an opponent’s head or neck area but lowering the head and initiating contact to an opponent’s torso, hips, and lower body is also a foul in the NFL.

The most frustrating thing about the no-call helmet to helmet on #Saints RB Alvin Kamara is Ref #18 is staring directly at the play 3-5 yards away on the same sideline. pic.twitter.com/aQhk50ZQhm

— Deuce Windham (@RevDeuceWindham) November 30, 2018

If a flag had been thrown, the Saints would have been given a first down. New Orleans was in a third-and-17 situation and Kamara picked up eight yards on the play. That could have been a turning point for the Saints.

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Are the ground officals sharp enough to keep up with today’s fast-paced NFL, or should the league consider adding in real time video officials to decrease hits like these from going unchecked?

Alvin Kamara needed the smelling salts after being hit with the crown of Jaylon Smith’s helmet and no penalty.

I thought the league wanted these hits out of the game? #NFL #TNFonFOX #Cowboys #NOvsDAL
pic.twitter.com/4b1sVUXafN

— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) November 30, 2018

Either way, Dallas will head into Week 13 feeling like they can compete with any team in the league, especially if the officials keep missing dirty plays like these.

Kamara and the Saints will look to rebound next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.