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Lions, Dan Campbell File Complaint Over Officiating After Controversial Calls in Loss to Packers

 

 Posted September 8, 2025

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.

Packers trade for star WR with 5,647 career receiving yards to pair with Romeo Doubs ahead of the Bengals game
Green Bay, WI — Coming out of their Week 5 bye, the Green Bay Packers (2–1–1) have reportedly reached an agreement in principle to acquire Calvin Ridley, a veteran wide receiver with 5,647 career receiving yards, pending a routine medical before any official announcement. The move is designed to slot Ridley alongside Romeo Doubs and add immediate punch to the offense before Week 6 at the Cincinnati Bengals. The Packers have scored at a strong clip but have lacked a steady week-to-week WR1. Tucker Kraft currently leads the team in catches and yards, Jayden Reed remains on the return timeline, and rookie Matthew Golden is still developing. Ridley’s arrival—an accomplished route-runner who separates on intermediate and deep concepts (deep outs, comebacks, corners, and overs off play-action)—should let head coach Matt LaFleur widen the playbook, stress coverages, and open space for Doubs on the opposite boundary and for Kraft down the seam. Tactically, Ridley projects as the X receiver, a trusted option on 3rd-and-medium and a perimeter threat who can win outside the numbers. In the red zone, his gravity can free back-shoulder throws to Doubs or seam routes for Kraft. That makes the Week 6 trip to Cincinnati an instant barometer: if the Bengals roll coverage toward Ridley, Green Bay can unlock more RPO looks, the run game, and shot plays off play-action. From a procedural standpoint, this remains an agreement in principle: core terms are understood per sources, but everything becomes official only after Ridley completes his physical. Financially, the framework is expected to keep Green Bay’s cap flexibility intact for the stretch run; details of the compensation will be clarified upon successful completion of medicals.