The Green Bay Packers picked up a 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving in large part because of Jordan Love’s performance. Unfortunately, there was some controversy regarding the referees.

During the late stages of the first half, the Packers had a false start on fourth down from Detroit’s two-yard line. The referees, however, said Matt LaFleur called a timeout before the penalty occurred. A few moments later, Love threw a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs to give Green Bay a 17-7 lead.

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The replay angle that FOX showed on the broadcast was quite telling. LaFleur didn’t signal for a timeout until after the false start. The NFL‘s officiating crew didn’t view it that way though.

“We talked about it on the field,” referee Ron Tolbert said. “We recognized the timeout called, and that the timeout was called before the false start.”

Nov 27, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrates with the Madden MVP trophy after defeating the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Nov 27, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) celebrates with the Madden MVP trophy after defeating the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Refs under serious fire.

Countless NFL fans are calling for the league to investigate the officiating crew assigned to the Packers-Lions game.

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“Refs had money on the Green Bay packers. The refs called a touchdown that wasn’t a touchdown and they clearly voided a false start that would have prevented a touchdown,” one fan said.

“Investing the Packers and the refs,” a second fan wrote on X.

“Please investigate the Lion-Packers game,” another fan said. “Lions win that game no doubt without the two awful calls. No TD and the coach did not verbally or physically sign a TO until after his player went offside. It’s BS there is no accountability for the refs.”

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The NFL has not publicly addressed this officiating fiasco. LaFleur joked about it during his postgame press conference.

“Of course they got it right,” LaFleur told reporters before winking at them.

With the win on Thursday, the Packers are 8-3-1. They’ll take over first place in the NFC North if the Chicago Bears lose this Friday to the Philadelphia Eagles.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Nov 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.