Packers Got Done Dirty by Refs in Week 5 Without Even Playing
The Green Bay Packers enjoyed their bye in Week 5 and that assumes they were in a place where the referees couldn’t hurt them. But even as they took in all of the action from home, they still found a way to stew over a case where they had been done wrong by the officials.
The play came during the Tennessee Titans’ matchup with the Arizona Cardinals as center Lloyd Cushenberry III lined up for a snap. Before the play, Cushenberry moved the ball slightly forward and tipped it at an angle so it would be easier to snap, allowing the play to go off without a hitch and everyone to move on with their afternoon.
But what appeared to be a simple play was a penalty during the Packers' Week 4 tie with the Dallas Cowboys and may raise even more questions when the Packers return to play on Sunday.
Packers Fans Have a Right to Be Frustrated After Elgton Jenkins False Start vs. Cowboys
The Packers' version of this play came as Green Bay was driving to the goal line in the third quarter of a Week 4 game against the Cowboys. Center Elgton Jenkins tipped the ball forward before the play but was called for a false start, backing the Packers up for a 1st-and-goal from the five-yard line.
The penalty didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things as Josh Jacobs scored on a one-yard touchdown run three plays later. But the biggest thing is consistency, as Cushenberry did the exact same thing Jenkins did without drawing a flag. Going up against “America’s Team” certainly didn’t do anything to quiet the conspiracy theory, and complaining about calls is as much of a tradition as Miller Lite at a Lambeau Field tailgate.
Then again, the Packers haven’t done themselves any favors in the penalty department. Entering the final game of the Week 5 slate on Monday night, the Packers are tied for the second-most penalties per game (8.8) this season, trailing only the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have averaged 9.5 flags per game. Penalties were also an issue in the Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, where the Packers were flagged a whopping 14 times for 75 yards.
With Green Bay having its own issues, it would be nice if the officials cleaned up their game as well. But instances like Sunday will continue to draw the attention of Packers fans until it’s ironed out.
Packers fans lose hope after new detail emerges from Week 6 Bengals game
The Green Bay Packers were among the first teams in the 2025 NFL season to enjoy a bye week. They got theirs in Week 5 following a controversial ending to a 40-40 tie with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4.
The Packers are 2-1-1 after four games. which isn’t an ugly situation, but they could have also be 4-0 at this point. A blocked field goal doomed them in an upset 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 before falling just short of pulling off a win in Arlington.
Green Bay has a chance to redeem itself in Week 6 against a struggling team in the form of the careening Cincinnati Bengals, who have lost all of their last three outings.
Packers fans have low expectations after learning Week 6 spread vs. Bengals
“Packers open as 14.5-point favorites hosting the Bengals next Sunday,” Matt Schneidman of The Athletic shared via a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday.
Meanwhile, several fans seem to have very low expectations on the Packers’ chances to cover the spread or put up a spectacular performance even against the struggling and Joe Burrow-less Bengals side.
“I would put five to $10 on a pack loss and try to win $200 on that. I bet at best it’s a close game and they give us a scare at worst we lose.,” said a fan on X.
Another one said: “Lmao, as a packers fan since 5 yrs old, I’m fully prepared for them to only score like 17 points & lose by like 3. That’s what we do…
From a commenter: “Time to bet the mortgage on the Bengals covering. Hopefully we win by 8
thats too many points to lay for an “some gas then ride the brakes” lafleur offense,” a social media user posted.
Via a different commenter: Respectfully, who is guarding Jamarr Chase? He’s about to double what Pickens did😂😂MLF disasterclass incoming
Said another: Respectfully, who is guarding Jamarr Chase? He’s about to double what Pickens did😂😂MLF disasterclass incoming
