Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney criticized NFL officials over their calls, saying the officiating made it harder for his team to compete. He also questioned the consistency of decisions during games.
McKinney’s comments focused on the calls against the Packers and the protection given to opposing quarterbacks.
Packers safety criticizes NFL officials
Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney expressed frustration with the officiating after the team’s 20–17 loss to the Detroit Lions. He said questionable calls made it harder for the Packers to compete and made clear that he was willing to risk a fine to speak up for his team.
McKinney was among Green Bay’s leading tacklers in the game. He did not record a sack, interception or pass deflection.
McKinney said he could see what was happening on the field and felt he needed to speak out on behalf of his team. “So I would rather get fined and trying to help my team out because I see what’s going on and I see that it’s killing… it’s killing us,” McKinney said. He also questioned specific decisions, saying, “I’m looking at the plays and I’m like, hold up, why are they calling this? It don’t even make any sense.” He added, “It’s just… it’s making it a little bit harder when the officiating is that way, if I’m being honest.”
One disputed call involved Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. After catching a short pass, St. Brown went to the ground, got back up and continued running before Wyatt tackled him. Officials ruled that the play had already ended and penalized Wyatt for unnecessary roughness. The penalty moved Detroit closer to the end zone, and the Lions scored a touchdown two plays later.
Referee Alex Moore explained that officials considered the play over before Wyatt made the additional tackle. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur questioned the decision, saying the players had not heard a whistle and believed the play was still active. LaFleur said, “There was no whistle blown and the guy continued to run, and our guy didn’t hear a whistle and continued playing too, and then we get called for a penalty.” LaFleur argued that both players continued the play because no whistle had been heard, yet only Green Bay was penalized.
The Packers also received roughing-the-passer penalties involving defensive players Brenton Cox Jr. and Karl Brooks. Cox was penalized following contact with Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Brooks was penalized in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 17, adding 15 yards to Detroit’s drive. FOX analyst Tom Brady also questioned the call against Brooks.
McKinney also questioned how quarterback protection penalties were enforced. He argued that Packers quarterback Jordan Love was not receiving the same calls as opposing quarterbacks.
Green Bay also failed to convert several scoring opportunities. The Packers reached the red zone four times but scored only seven points and missed two field goals. The Packers’ missed chances proved costly in the three-point defeat.
Green Bay’s missed red-zone opportunities and missed field goals were key factors in the loss. The Packers will next face the Carolina Panthers as they look to respond to the defeat.
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