Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAYThu, November 27, 2025 at 7:59 PM UTC·1 min readThe referees are feeling might generous to start this holiday season.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur successfully called timeout with his team facing a fourth-and-1 from the Detroit 2-yard line prior to the two-minute warning. However, FOX broadcast replays showed that LaFleur started signaling for the timeout well after Green Bay right guard Anthony Belton began moving before the snap.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe refs threw the flag on Belton but huddled to discuss as LaFleur protested his tardy timeout. The officials ultimately granted the Packers the timeout, saving them precious penalty yards in that portion of the field. LaFleur kept his offense on the field and quarterback Jordan Love found Romeo Doubs for the 3-yard score on the next play to make it 17-7 with 2:12 left in the second quarter.
"They got a break," FOX play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt said.
The Lions scored in their two-minute drill to make it 17-14 at halftime.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matt LaFleur timeout stirs controversy in Packers vs Lions game
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