Lions fan here, but I think it’s pretty obvious that my bias does not apply unless you’re a rat, Packers fan. I will present my case on why these officials need to be removed from the NFL. We have players being fined for waving at a defender while scoring a touchdown but referees laughing off the field after blowing numerous calls that will more than likely have ZERO repercussions.
EXHIBIT A- illegal use of hands to the face by Trey Flowers #1:
Trey Flowers working off the edge, left hand clearly under the chinstrap. Lions get the sack, which would have forced a punt from Green Bay, but wait! Flag comes in late, illegal use of hands from Trey Flowers. A five-yard penalty but more importantly, it becomes an automatic first-down. Guess what happens after, you guessed it, touchdown Green Bay, or was it?
EXHIBIT B- Ruled touchdown, reviewed, confirmed touchdown:
Here we have the supposed touchdown after the legal hands to the shoulder penalty. We have the catch, knee down, no part of his body/ball is across the white line as Justin Coleman makes contact. All scoring plays are review-able to all 31 teams in the NFL but apparently the Packers are an exception.
EXHIBIT C- Blown Pass Interference Call:
Here we have Marvin Jones downfield after beating the Packers defender. As the ball is in the air, the desperate defender throws his arm across Jones’s chest, disrupting his ability to attempt to make a catch. Clear PI, two refs watching this happen, no call. And for everyone saying “WHY WOULD MP NOT CHALLENGE?!?!” Well in the last 21 challenges for pass interference’s, coaches are 1-20 in getting it reversed. The PI needs to be as egregious as the Saints/Rams PI in order for it to be overturned. Therefore, the PI needs to top the worst non-call in NFL history in order for it to be possibly overturned. What a standard to have. Now consequently, this would have continued a drive that could have given the Lions a touchdown that would’ve extended the lead to 10. Instead, Matt Prater daddy’d a 51 yard field goal, points on the board regardless.
EXHIBIT D- illegal use of hands to the face by Trey Flowers #2:
Last but not least, the call witnessed around the world. After a crucial third down stop that would have resulted in a 33 yard field goal attempt, but more importantly, give the Lions almost 2 minutes to put a drive together to win the game. Instead, the automatic first down allows for the rats to run the clock down, kick a field goal, and jump into the stands with the zebras to celebrate being handed the game.
EXHIBIT E- 13 Packers on the field?
3rd and 8, the Pack are able to load the box and also account for all receivers. Hello? Anyone? THIRTEEN PLAYERS ON THE FIELD
EXHIBIT F- all of the other bullshit that happened:
I was not able to find photos for the Kerryon Johnson catch that was reviewed and determine that it was not a catch, the unsportsmanlike penalty on Tracy Walker as he was going for an interception, the ACTUAL illegal use of hands to the face by the Packers on numerous occasions, and the hold that allowed Rodgers to escape the pocket and run for a first.
As a Lions fan, I have witnessed horrible officiating. It is a common nuisance that is factored in by us when determining the outcome of each game we play. The only thing that I am happy about that has come out of this game is that it was witnessed by millions of NFL fans across the country. If this game were to be played a 1:00pm(EST) on Sunday, then it’s to be assumed that the Lions and us fans would be considered to be whining once again. The Packers are enemy number 1A now with the refs being 1b, FTP, FTR.
UTL 