The Packers, angry after controversial calls, give the Lions a huge division win

The Green Bay Packers already knew they would have their hands full against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. Not only did Matt LaFleur’s team go into one of the most hostile environments in the NFL to face a team that had won the last ten games in a row, but they also lost key starters like cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and receivers in the process Romeo Doubs. Unfortunately for Green Bay, the referees at Ford Field decided that all of that wasn’t enough adversity.

The refereeing show started early in Detroit when Lions pass rusher (and former Packer) Za’Darius Smith got away with a significant ejection on the passer penalty against Jordan Love that would have extended a Packers drive in the first half. But things eventually became downright egregious, as multiple calls against Green Bay failed to help Detroit to a crucial NFC North win – infuriating LaFleur and Packers fans around the world.

With less than five minutes to play, the Packers appeared to have scored the go-ahead touchdown with a Love pass to Josh Jacobs in the right flat. But the game was wiped out when Christian Watson was cited for offensive pass interference that seemed… questionable to say the least.

Obviously there’s plenty of contact there, but Watson doesn’t seem to bother making contact with the defensive back, nor does he throw a block or do anything out of the ordinary for a receiver running a route. One could certainly argue that the touchdown should have been allowed, but hey; There is a lot of contact and maybe the referees are just predicting a relatively close game. The Packers had to settle for a field goal instead, tying the game at 31 points instead of taking a four-point lead.

And then, on the next possession, it appeared as if Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was actively throwing a block on Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, only to suddenly decide that the referees would let the players play.

Somehow, that wasn’t even the most controversial call on Detroit’s final drive. Green Bay had the Lions on the edge of field goal range on a 2nd-and-17 when Amon-Ra St. Brown appeared to fend off defensive back Keisean Nixon, resulting in a 16-yard gain.

From there, Dan Campbell made a bold fourth down call and the Packers never saw the ball again as Jake Bates kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. There are many decisions in a football game, and they are rarely the only reason why a team wins or loses. Green Bay’s defense left a lot to be desired in this game and couldn’t get stops when needed. But with the team’s hopes of an NFC North title dashed by this loss, it will be hard not to look back and wonder what would have happened if just a few calls had gone nowhere.