Officials Using Matt LaFleur Timeout Excuse To Justify Ignoring Packers’ False Start Enrages Fans – “Goodell Not Even Hiding It”

The Detroit Lions slowed Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love's offense in the 2nd quarter of their Thanksgiving battle.

Officials Using Matt LaFleur Timeout Excuse To Justify Ignoring Packers’ False Start Enrages Fans – “Goodell Not Even Hiding It”

Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love (Image via IKE Packers/X)

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The 2025 NFL Thanksgiving games kicked off with Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love leading the Green Bay Packers to battle the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.

The game saw the away team jump into a 10-0 lead before the Lions came back to score 7 points to reduce the deficit in the 2nd quarter. With the ball in their hands, Love started a drive that spanned 69 yards to arrive at the Lions’ 11-yard line.

In 3 and a half minutes, all the Packers managed to do was gain 9 yards, 4 of which came from a Lions penalty. Now, staring at the possibility of a wasted drive, the away team decided to go for it on 4th down.

Soon, a penalty flag flew onto the field as Lions’ defensive linemen pointed out the Packers’ right guard for moving before the snap. Replays proved that he did indeed move before the ball left the center’s hands.

However, the officials then grabbed the flag back and mentioned that head coach Matt LaFleur had called a timeout before the false start happened.

While going over the replay, FOX Sports commentators Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady observed LaFleur’s actions and saw that the Packers HC did indeed call a timeout, but just that it was after his O-lineman committed the false start.

Fans fume at officials for helping Matt LaFleur and Packers

When Matt LaFleur called the timeout, he was in the same frame as the Packers’ offensive line. There is no denying that his gesture to the referees came half a second after the false start.

That is what led to the boos and also caused a furor on social media, as fans felt the officials were clearly helping the Green Bay Packers to win this NFC North rivalry.

To go over a replay, see what everyone had noticed, and then to still wipe out that false startled fans to believe the NFL had some intentions in play. Check out examples of those reactions below.

NFL officials have already faced the music when it comes to not calling false starts, especially on the Philadelphia Eagles’ Tush Push. Generally, they claim it is difficult to catch those penalties.

In this instance, it was clear as night and day, and officials still chose to side with the away team. That is what fans felt was egregious on the league’s part.

Jordan Love explodes for 4 TDs to help Packers win against Lions

After they seemingly received a lifeline from the officials, QB Jordan Love connected with wide receiver Romeo Doubs for a touchdown to move the lead back to 10 points.

Jordan Love's 4 TDs helped Packers win
Jordan Love’s 4 TDs helped Packers win (Image via Around the NFL/X)

That was the 27-year-old’s second touchdown of the game. He connected with his receivers two more times in the 3rd quarter to ensure his team stayed in the lead.

It eventually was enough, as Micah Parsons and the defense did their part to keep the Detroit Lions at bay. With this 31-24 win, the Packers strengthen their gap over the Lions in the tightly contested NFC North.

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