The Green Bay Packers saw their three-game winning streak end on Sunday, October 25, as the Detroit Lions secured a 20-17 victory. Kicker Trey Smack missed a 35-yard field goal with 3:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, setting up the Lions' game-winning drive. However, the Packers directed much of their frustration toward the officiating, with Green Bay penalized eight times for 81 yards.
Players and Coaches Criticize Calls
Safety Xavier McKinney did not hold back after the game, calling the officiating "bullshit" and stating, "I don't think it's great officiating, if I'm being completely honest. I think it's bullshit a lot of the times." McKinney said he did not care about potential fines for his comments.
One of the most debated penalties was a roughing-the-passer call on Karl Brooks with 2:45 left in the fourth quarter, which added 15 yards to an 18-yard gain by Sam LaPorta. Fox commentator Tom Brady reacted on air: "What is that? There's no way. That's definitely not roughing the passer." Rules analyst Dean Blandino also disagreed with the call.
Earlier in the third quarter, Brenton Cox Jr. was flagged for roughing the passer after attempting to catch himself while fighting through a block. Cox said, "I'm trying to give you a good answer, but it's disappointing that these are veteran guys -- well-informed guys -- and I feel like you've got to know the difference between what's intentional and what's not."
Devonte Wyatt was penalized for unnecessary roughness after tackling Amon-Ra St. Brown, who got up and tried to run. St. Brown accidentally cleated an official, prompting the flag. Head coach Matt LaFleur questioned the call: "There was no whistle blown, and the guy continued to run, and our guy didn't hear a whistle -- he continued to play too, and then we get called for a penalty." LaFleur declined to elaborate further to avoid fines.
Cornerback Keisean Nixon also criticized the officiating as one-sided, saying, "They clearly don't like Jordan Love. They don't throw nothing on him ever." On the first play of the fourth quarter, Love was called for intentional grounding despite tight end Tucker Kraft being the intended target. Referee Alex Moore explained the pass did not reach the line of scrimmage, but Brady called it "definitely not grounding."
Quick Turnaround
The Packers must now prepare for a short week, hosting the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football in Week 8.
