It was a wild start to the NFL Playoffs as the Cincinnati Bengals won their first playoff game in over 30 years, the Bills dominated the Patriots, the Bucs and Chiefs kept rolling, and the 49ers hung on in Dallas.

The Cowboys and 49ers’ game is being talked about the most today, as it was a dramatic finish and a highly disappointing loss for the franchise. The 49ers played well enough to win, but everyone’s attention today is on how and why the Cowboys lost.

Was it the coach’s fault for having quarterback, Dak Prescott, run the ball with only 14 seconds left and down six points with no timeouts?

Was Dak to blame for not sliding early enough or not getting the ball to the ref for him to spot it?

Was it the ref’s fault for not getting the ball set quickly enough?

After the game, Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy tried to justify and explain what took place, but both made sure to shift blame to the refs.

If you turn on the TV you will see hosts and analysts in heated discussions about who should be blamed for the way the game ended and who is to blame for another early exit in the playoffs for the Cowboys.

On ESPN’s morning shows, Get Up and First Take, the graphics appeared with the following:

“How much blame falls on Mike McCarthy for final play of game?”

“Most to Blame for Cowboys Exit?”

“Cowboys Blaming the Refs Too Much?”

Of course, there are reasons why games turn out the way they do and everyone contributes to the end result, but it seems that any time things go wrong in sports or life, and expectations aren’t met, fingers are pointed somewhere else.

Even if we are at fault, we rarely own up to it initially and are hesitant to say, “my bad.” Instead, we make excuses that someone else is the reason for the problem or they’re the reason why something didn’t work out the way it was supposed to.

We all find ways to blame and place fault on others or something else instead of owning our mistakes or even more seriously, confessing our sin.

Unfortunately, this has been going on since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:11-14 (NLT) reveals this relatable dialogue: “’Who told you that you were naked?’ the Lord God asked. ‘Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?’

“The man replied, ‘It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What have you done?’ ‘The serpent deceived me,’ she replied. ‘That’s why I ate it.’”

It’s our default response as well to look outwardly at someone else when questioned about an error we’ve made. However, ultimately, we know that each of us is accountable for our own decisions and that we’re responsible for what we do or don’t do. We also realize that shifting the blame or focus to someone else’s mistakes, doesn’t exonerate us from ours.

Paul reminds us in Romans 14:10-12 (TLB): “You have no right to criticize your brother or look down on him. Remember, each of us will stand personally before the Judgment Seat of God. For it is written, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee shall bow to Me and every tongue confess to God.’ Yes, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Today, instead of looking for someone or something to be our excuse for blowing it, let’s admit our mistakes and our role in the failure. God knows the truth anyway, so we need to embrace the freedom that comes from honesty, accountability, and confession.

As we live in transparency and rely on God’s grace, let’s choose to confess, repent, and seek forgiveness from Him and those we let down…and be encouraged by John 1:9 (NLT):

“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it’s easy for me to look for other people to blame when I’m at fault. I pray that You would help me own up to my mistakes and pursue forgiveness and repentance. I’m thankful for Your grace through Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

  1. What situation do you find yourself blaming someone the most?

  2. Why is taking ownership of your mistakes more effective than placing blame somewhere else?