DETROIT – NFL officials explained the Dontayvion Wicks touchdown review and the timeout ruling after the Green Bay Packers took down the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
During the pool report after Green Bay’s 31-24 win over the Lions on Thursday (Nov. 27), referee Ron Torbert addressed the controversial timeout call in the second quarter.
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NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth to pool reporter @colton_pouncy on Dontayvion Wicks’ early TD: “These receivers are that good, he controls the ball with his hand.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 27, 2025
More from Butterworth and referee Ron Torbert: pic.twitter.com/GsPdCtatmJ
Torbert said officials heard Packers head coach Matt LaFleur call a timeout before a false start was called on a 4th-and-1 attempt.
Initially, officials called a false start on the field, but then granted the Packers a timeout after meeting with officials.
The sequence sparked debate among Lions fans about whether the timeout was called first.
In the interview, Torbert said, “The timeout was called before the false start happened.”
When asked about LaFleur covering his mouth during the penalty, Torbert confirmed, “Before the false start.”
He added, “We talked about it on the field. We recognized the timeout called, and that the timeout was called before the false start.”
Prior to the play, Packers quarterback Jordan Love gained two yards on a scramble after Detroit was penalized for having 12 men in the huddle.
On the fourth-and-one play, Love lined up in shotgun formation and called an audible as the play clock counted down.
The Packers’ offensive lineman flinched, drawing a five-yard false start penalty.
Fans initially cheered the penalty, but officials huddled and then granted LaFleur’s timeout request.
The decision turned cheers into jeers as the replay suggested the false start occurred first.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell smirked in dismay as the referee explained the ruling.
Following the timeout, Love completed a pass to wide receiver Romeo Doubs for a touchdown, extending Green Bay’s lead to 17-7.
Sideline reporter Tom Rinaldi said during the broadcast that LaFleur was heard shouting the timeout command, which influenced the officials’ decision.
Despite the controversy, Detroit responded with a two-minute offense drive before halftime, scoring to cut the deficit to 17-14.
During the interview with PFWA Pool Reporter Colton Pouncy, NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth and Torbert discussed the key second-quarter touchdown.
Pouncy asked Butterworth what officials saw that led them to confirm Dontayvion Wicks had possession of the ball and both feet in bounds for the touchdown.
Butterworth explained, “The ruling on the field was a touchdown. We saw control with his right foot down and his left foot down in the end zone, and then a third step out of the end zone.”
When asked if there was any discussion about a bobble on the catch, Butterworth said, “No. These receivers are that good; he controls the ball with his hand.”
He added, “But with his hands or arm above his body, while pulling it down, by rule, he can actually pull that ball into his body as he completes the process of a catch.”
Although both plays seemed to go against the Lions, Detroit had ample opportunities to win the down, but their defense couldn’t get off the field in key moments, including the final play of the game, where Brian Branch couldn’t stop the Packers receiver on fourth down.
Detroit was also 0-2 on fourth down, including rushing the ball on fourth and two up the gut with Jahmyr Gibbs for no gain, giving the ball back to Love and the Packers, who were cooking on offense.
Look for the 7-5 Lions to find their footing on Thursday Night Football when they’ll host the red-hot Dallas Cowboys inside Ford Field in Week 14.
--> Big numbers, bigger frustrations as Packers complete season sweep over Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving