The Packers seem to have an advantage in the race for NFC North – the refs

Just a typical game at Lambeau Field.

Six weeks into the NFL season and the Packers can pretty much credit two of their victories to the referees. 

At 5-1, the Packers lead the Vikings (4-2) by a game in the NFC North, and the Lions (2-2-1) are now well back after the they were robbed of a victory by the officials Monday night in Green Bay. 

Leading 22-13 in the fourth quarter, the refs flagged the Lions for three questionable penalties and had one obvious missed call that helped Green Bay come from behind for a 23-22 victory. 

Lions defensive end Trey Flowers was flagged for two illegal hands to the face penalties when it was he who was actually taking hands to the face by the Packers' left tackle.

And to think one of the 2 hands to the face calls was against the @Lions @III_Flowers on this play. One set up a touchdown and the other a game winning field goal for the @packers . It's 2019 and we need to get these calls right. #OnePride #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/jhGjpCqUBh

— Merril Hoge (@merrilhoge) October 15, 2019

Then, defensive back Tracy Walker was flagged for unnecessary roughness when he was clearly arriving at the football in an attempt to make an interception at the same time Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison was diving to make a catch. 

Video Evidence #1:
Tracy Walker dives for football while making contact with Packers WR. Called 15 yard Unnecessary Roughness. Clearly shows his arms creating a basket attempting to intercept pass. pic.twitter.com/D7VseUToSU

— Zach Linfield 🎙️ (@ZachLinfield) October 15, 2019

And then the officials didn't throw a flag when it was obvious that the Packers interfered with Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones. 

Photographic Evidence:
Marvin Jones Jr. has great vertical ability while being able to highpoint a football. Was not able to in 4th Q due to obvious (non-called) Pass Interference by Packers #25. pic.twitter.com/Ds6hXA9S1Y

— Zach Linfield 🎙️ (@ZachLinfield) October 15, 2019

Former Vikings linebacker Jack Del Rio, who has 12 years of head coaching experience – nine with the Jaguars and three with the Raiders – thinks the Lions got screwed and should've won by two scores. 

Monday night's gaffes lead back to Minnesota's Week 2 loss to the Packers, when a 3-yard touchdown was ripped away from Stefon Diggs. Replay officials in New York decided to flag Diggs for offensive pass interference and wiped away the score. 

Instead of trailing 21-14, the Vikings had a first-and-goal from the 13-yard-line and had to settle for a field goal late in the first half. 

That proved critical as Kirk Cousins connected with Diggs for a 45-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to make it a one-score game. But had Diggs' first touchdown not been overturned, the Vikings would've been kicking an extra point to tie the game at 21. 

Cousins' struggles the rest of the game definitely factored in the loss, but that questionable penalty was a backbreaker that helped Green Bay to a win. Had the touchdown not been overturned the Vikings might be 5-1 now while the Packers would be 4-2, or worse, 3-3 if the refs didn't save them against the Lions. 

Interesting...

Per https://t.co/lDZ8rWblZM, Green Bay leads the NFL in “beneficiary yards” this season, which is when a team’s opponent is called for a penalty.

The Packers have accrued 501 yards through penalties.

Detroit, on the other hand, is dead last with 234 yards.

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) October 15, 2019

If Aaron Rodgers' family doesn't like him, at least he can sleep at night knowing he's got family dressed in stripes who always have his back.