The Detroit Lions emerged victorious against the Green Bay Packers with a 20-17 win on Sunday. This victory advances the Lions to a 4-2 record for the season while the Packers decline to 4-3. However, the game was not without controversy due to questionable officiating decisions, especially two roughing-the-passer calls against Green Bay.
Key Controversial Moment
A pivotal call occurred when the game was tied at 17-17 with under three minutes left. Packers’ defensive tackle Karl Brooks hit Lions quarterback Jared Goff right after he threw to tight end Sam LaPorta. The referees penalized Brooks for roughing the passer, which resulted in a 15-yard addition to the 18-yard completion. This positioned Detroit into field-goal range, setting up the Lions to secure their victory with a 22-yard field goal by Jake Bates as the clock ran out.
Reactions and Criticisms
The game’s commentary team, led by Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt for FOX, expressed disbelief at the call. Brady emphatically remarked, “No, my goodness. What is that? There’s no way! That’s definitely not roughing the passer!” FOX’s rules analyst Dean Blandino echoed this sentiment, characterizing the hit as a standard tackle, not a penalty.
Public and Expert Opinions
Pat McAfee, an ESPN commentator, commended Brady for openly criticizing the officiating on social media. He noted, “I really appreciate Tom Brady’s disdain for some of the Roughing the Passer calls. He’s an owner and one of the lead commentators … he’s got A LOT OF WEIGHT.”
Brady, who has a 5% ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders approved in October 2024, faces broadcasting restrictions due to his ownership role. This includes limited access to team production meetings and facilities. He is also bound by league policies restricting owners from publicly criticizing officials.
Officiating Concerns Growing
This incident is not isolated. Throughout the 2026 season, numerous questionable penalties have surfaced each week, with Sunday’s roughing calls having a direct impact on Detroit’s game-winning drive. Despite Green Bay’s struggles including two missed field goals, a critical fourth-quarter interception, and scoring a mere seven points on seven red zone trips, concerns about officiating remain a significant topic among fans.