Nary a Detroit Lions game goes by where the fans don’t have some serious issues with the officiating. From Aidan Hutchinson being endemically held to delay-of-game not being enforced to questionable pass interference calls that always seem to go against Detroit, railing against officiating is one of the most unifying aspects of being a Lions fan.
It’s especially poignant with the Green Bay Packers coming to town for Thanksgiving. Officiating has left its mark on many a Lions-Packers contest, and it’s typically tread marks on the back of Detroit.
The officiating statistics back up the claim that the Lions do not get the officiating calls. Through Week 11, teams playing against the Lions have the second-fewest penalties of any NFL foe. Lions opponents have been flagged just 49 times for 428 yards. Only the Chicago Bears (47) have seen fewer flags on their opponents than Detroit (the Chiefs foes also have 49).
Detroit is tied for seventh in net penalty yardage, with the Lions being assessed 99 more penalty yards than their foes. The Lions have been flagged for 55 enforced penalties, a -6 margin.
It might surprise Lions fans to know the Packers have been flagged for more penalties (72) and have the third-worst net penalty count (-13). However, the Packers have a positive net penalty yardage of 24 despite committing 13 more penalties than their opponents.