DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 23: A detail of the uniform and whistle of an NFL referee as he oversees the action between the Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 23, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The Texans defeated the Broncos 31-25. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)Green Bay’s 23-22 comeback win over the Detroit Lions was marred by–or really the result of–poor officiating, to say the least.
A pair of phantom hands to the face calls on Lions defensive lineman Trey Flowers proved monumental. One extended the Green Bay drive that cut the lead to 22-20, while the other came on the final drive of the game and ultimately led to Mason Crosby’s winning field goal.
Below is a look at both plays. In each of them, Flowers has his hands up high, but on the shoulder pads of the man blocking him, not in his face.
Illegal hands to the chest phantom call on Trey Flowers goes from a sack to 1st down Packers 😂 what a joke! #LambeauRefs pic.twitter.com/9IqBxLLXHv
— Rick Sosa (@sosarick) October 15, 2019
No it is NOT the same play.. Trey Flowers had never been called for this penalty in his entire career!! Twice tonight! Wow #LambeauRefs pic.twitter.com/NnRvUk8N0S
— Rick Sosa (@sosarick) October 15, 2019
As a result of these calls, and a couple of other shaky decisions, the officials in tonight’s game have taken a beating from all sides. ESPN game analyst Booger McFarland was apoplectic on the broadcast, flat out calling out the refs for costing Detroit the game.
The criticism on social media is even more fervent.
Two phantom hands to the face calls on Trey Flowers changed the game. NFL officiating woes magnify.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) October 15, 2019
Never seen Trey Flowers this mad. And he has every right.
He rarely commits penalties. Brutal
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) October 15, 2019
What am I watching? The refs literally got the same call wrong, Trey Flowers on illegal hands, both times he had it on the shoulder pads. Both decisions were INSANELY costly. One was a sack on 3rd and long. The other to seal the game. This is a disaster. #Lions #Packers
— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) October 15, 2019
Man Trey Flowers just got taken out behind the wood shed by the officials.
Two completely fabricated calls
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 15, 2019
The refs need to be investigated. This is horrendous. Check bank accounts. #NoExcuses
— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) October 15, 2019
It’s a shame to see the referees cost the Lions this game. Detroit got hosed.
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) October 15, 2019
Absolutely horrible. The @nfl has a referee & al Riveron problem
— Scott Zolak (@scottzolak) October 15, 2019
The @NFL has got a problem.. We all know it, will they acknowledge it and fix it??? #officials
— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) October 15, 2019
The referees are destroying the NFL game by game. It’s a shame because of how much work is put in and to have games literally won or loss by bad calls in crucial situations. #sendembacktofootlocker #MNF #NFL
— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) October 15, 2019
Outside of the 2012 NFL referee lockout and basically every Big 12 football season, has there ever been an NFL season where officiating across the board has been under this much fire for questionable calls? It doesn't seem isolated at all.
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) October 15, 2019
Every Tuesday in NFL (players day off) teams bring in free agents to try them out to replace players on their 53 man roster = try to upgrade their team. Best of the best. Maybe NFL should hold tryouts every Tuesday for referees? Need be held accountable. Cant cont make mistakes
— Scott Shanle (@scottshanle) October 15, 2019
As long as there are sports, there will be complaints about officiating. However, what the NFL is dealing with now is more than just garden variety second-guessing and protesting.
The league has a massive problem on its hands, and it is affecting the product on a weekly basis. Tonight might even play a role in the playoff chase.
Detroit is now 2-2-1, while Green Bay moves to 5-1. If the NFC North is decided by a game or the Lions barely miss the playoffs, you will be able to point to this night as having had a direct impact.
