IMAGE: Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on against the Detroit Lions during the third quarter at Ford Field. / David Reginek / Imagn Images
Packers-Lions Marred by Officiating Miscues, With Green Bay Catching the Bigger Breaks
The Week 13 showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions had all the makings of a classic NFC North battle-intensity, momentum swings, and playoff implications. But the game also brought something the NFL could’ve done without: a string of officiating missteps that left both sidelines shaking their heads. And while both teams were on the receiving end of questionable calls, it’s fair to say the Packers came out slightly ahead in the luck department.
Let’s start with the moment that had everyone talking.
Midway through the first half, Green Bay faced a critical fourth down near the goal line. Just before the snap, a Packers offensive lineman clearly flinched-textbook false start.
The kind of penalty that usually pushes an offense back five yards and likely forces a field goal attempt. But instead of flags flying, the officials ruled that head coach Matt LaFleur had called a timeout in time to nullify the penalty.
The problem? Replays suggested LaFleur’s timeout came after the false start.
The whistle didn’t bail out the offense-it bailed out the mistake.
And the result? The Packers kept the down, stayed in close, and punched in a touchdown. That’s a potential four-point swing, and in a game with playoff seeding on the line, those margins matter.
After the game, LaFleur didn’t need to say much. When asked about the call, he smirked and threw in a wink. No words necessary-he knew he got away with one.
But that wasn’t the only head-scratcher from the officiating crew.
Earlier, wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks hauled in what was ruled a touchdown. But on closer inspection, it looked like a 50/50 call at best.
Wicks appeared to be juggling the ball as he got his first foot down. By the time he secured control, the question was whether his second foot was still in bounds.
The officials stuck with the call on the field, and the score stood.
The Lions, for their part, had reason to be frustrated too. Late in the game, Packers wideout Christian Watson was clearly impeded by cornerback Amik Robertson on a deep route-contact that looked like pass interference by most standards. But no flag was thrown, and the play went unpenalized.
So in a game where both sides had reason to be upset, the Packers ultimately benefitted more from the officiating inconsistencies. And while it’s easy to say these things even out over a season, the timing of these calls-especially in high-leverage moments-can have a real impact on outcomes and momentum.
As we head into the stretch run of the regular season, the stakes only get higher. Teams are jockeying for playoff position, and one blown call can tilt the balance. The NFL’s officiating crews are under more scrutiny than ever, and performances like this one don’t do much to build trust.
For fans, players, and coaches alike, the hope is simple: let the teams decide the game-not the zebras.
