DETROIT,MICHIGAN-OCTOBER 25: Running back Josh Jacobs #8 of the Green Bay Packers misses a catch for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, October 25, 2026 (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The Green Bay Packers (4-3) lost a controversy-filled 20-17 game to the Detroit Lions (4-2) on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Questionable penalty flags from the officiating crew will be examined throughout the week, but Green Bay kept taking one step forward, two steps back, with suspect play calling and being undisciplined down the stretch.
Rookie kicker Trey Smack missed two short field goals, with one being tipped at the line of scrimmage, in what ended up being the difference in the game. Smack is now 10-for-13 on the season.
In his first game this season, Josh Jacobs had little impact on the rushing game, but was an explosive difference as a receiver. In the third quarter, he showed why he adds an extra element for the Packers, avoiding tacklers while running down the sideline to the end zone on a 25-yard TD pass.
But Jacobs dropped a TD pass late in the fourth quarter. That drive happened after Green Bay started well in Detroit territory because Lions head coach Dan Campbell decided to go for fourth down while on their own 24-yard line and were stuffed. But still, Green Bay couldn’t capitalize.
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff then drove the Lions down the field and after Green Bay defensive lineman Karl Brooks jumped offsides in the red zone, Detroit was able to run out the clock and kicker Jake Bates kicked a chip shot field goal as time expired.
Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love had some good throws but he won’t be happy with the result or his overall subpar performance. He finished the game 27-for-45, 274 yards passing, two touchdowns and one interception.
The Green Bay defense was leaky all day, but Detroit uncharacteristically turned the ball over twice, keeping the Packers in the game. Both the run and pass were successful against Green Bay on Sunday.
Every team in the NFC North has a winning record. The Packers are in last place behind Detroit, Chicago (5-2) and Minnesota (6-0).
It’s a short week for Green Bay. They host the Carolina Panthers (3-3) on “Thursday Night Football,” Oct. 29, at Lambeau Field.
Drake Bentley is the general assignment reporter for the Milwaukee Courier, covering politics, sports and the community. He is an award-winning investigative journalist who has worked for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin State Journal, Newsweek, Heavy and The Sporting News. He is a northside Milwaukee native, former political staffer and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the University of Nebraska.
