Detroit’s 27-13 defeat to Green Bay in Week 1 was already a bitter pill to swallow. But what happened between the whistles may sting even more, as head coach Dan Campbell publicly accused officials of favoring the Packers and demanded the NFL review the game’s officiating.
Three moments in particular fueled the outrage.
1. The Brian Branch Pick-Six Wiped Away
Early in the third quarter, cornerback Brian Branch appeared to turn the tide with a 35-yard interception return touchdown that would have cut the deficit to 17-13. Instead, the play was erased by a defensive holding penalty on Rock Ya-Sin, flagged for grabbing Jayden Reed well away from the ball. The five-yard call gifted Green Bay a first down, and the Packers turned the drive into a field goal for a 20-6 lead. Fans immediately erupted online, calling it a “ticky-tack” penalty that “changed the whole game.”
2. No Flag on Jaire Alexander vs. Amon-Ra St. Brown
Down 20-6 in the fourth quarter, Jared Goff launched a deep shot to Amon-Ra St. Brown near the red zone. Replay showed Jaire Alexander tugging St. Brown’s arm, but no defensive pass interference flag came. Detroit settled for a field goal instead of a potential first-and-goal, narrowing only to 20-9. Supporters were incensed, pointing to past DPI controversies in Lions-Packers games. Analysts labeled it a “questionable no-call,” one that robbed Detroit of a needed touchdown opportunity.
3. Micah Parsons’ Sack Without a Facemask Call
Just before halftime, with the Lions trailing 10-3, newly-acquired Packer Micah Parsons sacked Jared Goff, forcing a fumble that Detroit recovered. Lions fans argued Parsons yanked Goff’s facemask, but no flag was thrown. One play later, Goff threw an interception to Evan Williams, killing a promising drive. While not as decisive as the earlier calls, the sequence added fuel to suspicions of bias toward Green Bay’s new defensive star.
After the game, Campbell didn’t hold back. He said the “integrity of the game” demanded accountability and insisted the NFL office take a closer look at how the calls — and non-calls — shaped the outcome.
For fans in Detroit, the controversy echoes a long history of painful moments against Green Bay, reviving memories of infamous officiating debates in years past. This time, Campbell is making sure the league hears it directly from him.
