The Green Bay Packers fell to the Detroit Lions by the score of 20-17 on Sunday afternoon. It was a game that was the epitome of “what can go wrong, will go wrong.” Starting center Sean Rhyan and backup center Jacob Monk left with injuries, forcing the inexperienced John Williams into a pivotal role with less than ideal results.
Of course, the officiating is a huge story from this game, with even national reporters saying online that Green Bay was on the wrong end of some absolutely abysmal calls from the referees. Still, the Packers put themselves in a position to win the game, and simply could not do the little things required in order to escape with a much-needed victory.
Josh Jacobs says he is to blame for the Green Bay Packers loss to the Detroit Lions
Sunday’s game marked the return of running back Josh Jacobs to the Packers starting lineup. He had missed the first six games of the season while on the commissioner’s exempt list. The decision to place him there was made by the NFL following his arrest and eventual plea of no contest to domestic violence charges.
Unfortunately, that did very little to help Green Bay’s running game. He had just 11 carries for 36 yards, though he did have five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Jacobs did, though, commit a costly error late in the game. With the Packers driving and in the red zone, he dropped what would have been a touchdown that could have given Green Bay the lead.
After the game, the star running back blamed himself, not the officials, for the loss:
After the game, Josh Jacobs said he apologized to his team for dropping Jordan Love’s TD pass on third-and-5 with 3:30 left. Big turn in the loss.
“That’s a play I’ve got to make. So I said, ‘If you want to blame anybody, put it on me.’” https://t.co/6DqSxyw5bb
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) October 26, 2026
Due to being on the exempt list, Jacobs was not allowed to practice with the team. His drop on a crucial play, while something that happens in games, is evidence of the lack of reps that he had up to this point in the year.
It also highlights the fact that drops continue to be an issue for Green Bay’s offense. They lead the league in dropped passes by a wide margin, and committed multiple more in Sunday’s loss.
The officials were, indeed, an issue. However, the Packers still could have won the game if they were able to play any semblance of fundamental football on the offensive side of the ball.
More Green Bay Packers news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- Packers sign young wide receiver to their 53-man roster
- Packers lose Pro Bowl defender for Week 7 versus Lions
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