Hall of Famer Barry Sanders hammers officials over poor calls in Lions’ loss

The finish should have been center stage after Green Bay’s 23-22 victory over the Detroit Lions on Mason Crosby’s last-second field goal.

It wasn’t because the officials managed to mangle the show with a series of brutal calls that cost Detroit the game.

Former Lions Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders went off on the officiating crew after the game, especially for two phantom calls for illegal hands to the face against Trey Flowers.

I know that no one on the @lions can say it, so I will… that is a terrible missed call, on hands to the face and bad break for our D that is playing so hard. #replayhelpneeded

— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) October 15, 2019

That is sickening… the @NFL needs to look at a way to prevent that from happening. Two phantom hands to the face calls really hurts us tonight. Yes, we could have scored TDs, but @Lions played too well to have the game end this way. #DETvsGB @espn

— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) October 15, 2019

Not saying that we would not have been able to overcome those calls if we had converted TDs in the red zone, but man they hurt

— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) October 15, 2019

And that doesn’t address a questionable non-call when it clearly appeared Marvin Jones Jr. had been interfered with on a deep pass in the second half.

Another Twitter account pointed out the unusual 13-man defense the Packers had on the field at one point.

Packers defense much-improved this season. Key: 13 players. pic.twitter.com/BoZYDHb8MZ

— Kevin Brown (@KevinBrownNFL) October 15, 2019