The Packers’ O‑line saga worsens after both centers go down in the loss to Detroit. Sean Rhyan exits on the first drive, and his replacement Jacob Monk suffers a quad injury that lands him on IR, prompting the promotion of Mekhi Becton Sr. from the practice squad. Rookie John Williams steps in for his first NFL snaps and earns praise from head coach Matt LaFleur for handling the hostile environment. With a short week before Thursday Night Football against Carolina, Green Bay faces its third‑string center and continues to search for stability on the line.
The Packers enter Week 8's Thursday Night Football clash with the Carolina Panthers short‑handed after placing 2024 fifth‑round pick Jacob Monk on injured reserve with a quad injury. Monk, who suffered the setback in a 20‑17 loss to Detroit, joins a line already missing right tackle Zach Tom and left guard Aaron Banks. Veteran tackle Mekhi Becton is promoted from the practice squad to fill the center vacancy, but the string of injuries to the interior line raises concerns for Green Bay’s upcoming game.
D.J. Wonnum got a hand on a go-ahead kick, and Detroit had not seen that in years. #OnePride
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell reports mostly positive injury updates after the Packers game. Wide receiver Amon‑Ra St. Brown, who posted a season‑high 153 yards on nine catches, is treated for a swollen ankle and is expected to miss Wednesday practice but should be ready for Thursday. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw also suffered a minor ankle issue and is slated to return to practice Thursday. Campbell emphasized neither injury is serious and highlighted the Lions’ rotating cornerback package that featured D.J. Reed, Roger McCreary, Rock Ya‑Sin and Khalil Dorsey, a strategy he plans to keep using.
In Week 7’s NFC North showdown, the Green Bay Packers fell 20‑17 to the Detroit Lions after rookie kicker Trey Smack missed a crucial field goal. A late rough‑ing‑the‑passer call on defensive tackle Karl Brooks sparked controversy, prompting Tom Brady to label the penalty “definitely not roughing the passer.” The loss drops the Packers to 4‑3 and places them behind the Lions, Bears and Vikings in a tight playoff race. With injuries mounting and coach Matt LaFleur urging discipline, Green Bay’s postseason hopes hang in the balance.
Did Dan Campbell make the right fourth-down decision against Green Bay? ESPN and Next Gen Stats offer surprising assessments of the Lions' gamble.
The Green Bay Packers blame officiating for their 24‑17 loss to the Detroit Lions, citing a rash roughing‑the‑passer call on Brenton Cox Jr. and what they see as uneven treatment of quarterback Jordan Love, who has taken the most hits of any starter without similar penalties. Safety Xavier McKinney called the calls “bulls” that killed momentum, while coach Matt LaFleur stayed diplomatic, saying teams must play through the calls. The grievances have left the 4‑3 Packers at the bottom of the NFC Central, fueling growing frustration with NFL referees.
Dan Campbell provides encouraging injury updates on Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. following Detroit's victory over Green Bay.
The Green Bay Packers’ rookie kicker Trey Smack hurt the team’s 20‑17 loss to the Detroit Lions on Oct. 25, missing a 26‑yard field goal and having a 35‑yard attempt blocked. Drafted in the 216th spot, Smack is 11‑of‑16 (68.8%) this season, well below the league’s 84.2% average, and all five of his misses are from under 49 yards. He ranks among the few kickers under 70% accuracy, joining former Rams rookie Harrison Mevis, who was released after costly misses. While Smack’s 13‑of‑15 PATs show some reliability, his early performance is far from inspiring for a team already struggling with kicking woes.
Jahmyr Gibbs had a blunt reaction to Dan Campbell's fourth-down call, and an explanation for why it failed. #OnePride
Brian Branch's first game since last December told Aidan Hutchinson exactly what Detroit's defense had been missing. #OnePride
The Lions need a cornerback, and Cam Taylor-Britt sits on a 2-5 Colts roster still deciding whether to sell. #OnePride
Calvin Johnson praised the officiating after the Detroit Lions edged the Green Bay Packers 20-17 in Week 7. The game featured eight Packers penalties for 81 yards, including a controversial rough‑the‑passer call that gave the Lions a 15‑yard first down. Johnson joked about a “red jersey” and admitted his bias, saying the refs did a great job. The win lifts Detroit to 4-2 as they prepare to host the unbeaten Vikings next week.
Even though he nearly gave his fans a heart attack, Jahmyr Gibbs stood by Dan Campbell's decision to go for it on fourth down late and deep into his territory.
The Packers fall 20-17 to the Lions after a walk‑off field goal and a controversial roughing‑the‑passer penalty on the second play of Detroit’s final drive. sidelined edge rusher Micah Parsons vents his anger on X, blasting the NFL for “flag football”‑style calls. The penalty, followed by another disputed call in the third quarter on Jared Goff, fuels the frustration of head coach Matt LaFleur and fans. Missed kicks by Trey Smack and a fourth‑quarter interception by Jordan Love seal the loss. Parsons remains weeks away from returning from a knee injury, promising more social‑media commentary as Green Bay struggles with officiating and injuries.
The Packers fell 20-17 to the Detroit Lions in Week 7, a loss marred by injuries, dropped passes and missed kicks. After the game, defensive end Micah Parsons took to X to slam the officiating, calling recent rough‑the‑passer calls “bogus” and suggesting the league should “just go to flag football.” Parsons highlighted a questionable penalty on Brenton Cox for contact with quarterback Jared Goff, echoing teammates’ frustration over inconsistent calls. The criticism adds to growing concerns that officiating bias is hurting Green Bay’s chances.
After the Vikings’ 16‑10 Week 7 win over the Colts, edge rusher Kyle Van Noy posted a celebratory clip praising teammates Blake Cashman, kicker Will Reichard and safety Harrison Smith, calling Cashman the night’s standout. In response, veteran running back Aaron Jones fired back on social media, demanding respect and claiming he’s still an elite player despite a knee issue that forced him out of the game. Jones remains a key offensive weapon with 105 carries for 436 yards and two touchdowns, while Van Noy leads the defense with 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks and seven TFLs. The Vikings now turn their focus to a Week 8 showdown with the Detroit Lions.
The Lions held on to beat the Packers for their first divisional win of the season. What’d we learn from the crazy NFC North thriller?
Amon-Ra St. Brown and a returning Brian Branch gave PFF plenty to like in Detroit's win. #OnePride
In a wild Sunday Night Football finish, the Detroit Lions faced a fourth-and‑one on their own 23‑yard line with under five minutes left and a 20‑17 tie against the Green Bay Packers. Dan Campbell chose to go for it, but the play failed and the Lions turned it over on downs. A blocked field‑goal attempt later helped Detroit secure the win. Former Steelers head coach and analyst Mike Tomlin defended Campbell’s call, arguing elite quarterback play and clock‑management justified the risk. Tomlin’s support highlights the growing acceptance of aggressive, analytics‑driven decisions in tight games.
Mike Tomlin went on NBC and turned Dan Campbell's fourth-down gamble into a question about two quarterbacks. #OnePride
The Packers fall to Detroit 20-17, dropping to 4-3, and now face a deeper offensive line crisis as starting center Sean Rhyan suffers a high‑ankle sprain that could sideline him 4‑6 weeks. Backup Jacob Monk also exited early, leaving John Williams to fill in once again. Running back Josh Jacobs managed just 36 yards on 11 carries and a dropped pass that could have secured a win. The injury adds to Green Bay’s mounting woes heading into Week 8.
The Detroit Lions improve to 4-2 after a 20-17 Week 7 win over the Packers, thanks to a deep secondary rotation and balanced snap distribution. quarterback Jared Goff throws for 300 yards, two touchdowns and no picks on 68 snaps, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs sees a career‑high 61 snaps and 34 touches. Wideouts Jameson Williams (57 snaps) and Amon‑Ra St. Brown (53 snaps) drive the passing attack, and tight end Sam LaPorta is on the field for 66 snaps, helping protect Goff and catching the decisive fourth‑quarter pass. The defensive line settles into a three‑technique rotation anchored by Alim McNeill (52 snaps, six pressures), with Levi Onwuzurike providing relief. Edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson logs 58 snaps, adding pressure to the defense. The snap‑count breakdown highlights depth‑chart stability and hints at how the Lions will manage player workloads moving forward.
Days after Sam LaPorta's contract comments, Detroit barely threw his way against Green Bay. #OnePride
In a tight 20-17 NFC North loss to Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers endured several controversial calls, including a roughing‑the‑passer penalty and an intentional‑grounding flag on Jordan Love. Despite fan outrage, coach Matt LaFleur kept his post‑game remarks measured, saying he could “say what he really feels” but chose not to criticize officials, likely to avoid fines. The defeat drops the Packers to 4‑3, trailing Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota as the season reaches its halfway point. LaFleur’s squad looks to rebound at home against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8.