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Report: NFL Execs Believe Officiating Prevented the Lions from Making the Playoffs

Author Anne Erickson
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

It’s common for fans to blame the referees when their favorite team doesn’t win a big game, but sometimes the blame is warranted. Now, a handful of NFL executives, reportedly, are saying the Lions got screwed out of a playoff run. My eyes popped out when I saw this news, because it’s rare when the NFL comments on something like this.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, those NFL execs believe the officiating in Seattle’s Week 18 win over the Los Angeles Rams was a big part of why the Lions didn’t go all the way. If you were watching that game, you likely recall several controversial officiating calls that helped the Seahawks.

Schefter says, “Multiple sources told ESPN that the Rams were upset by the officiating, the Lions were bothered by it and the competition committee was frustrated by it. The calls benefited the Seahawks, hurt the Rams and ultimately impacted the Lions, who needed Seattle to lose in order to have a chance to claim the NFC’s final wild-card spot.”

He writes, “‘The Lions should be livid,’ one source told ESPN. ‘It was an awful way for them to end their season.'” Wow. He also writes that, “Even the NFL’s competition committee is aware of what one source described to ESPN ‘as the worst officiated game of the year.'” What do you think? Reach out to me on Facebook and let me know.

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Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.

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