Instant analysis of Packers' 20-17 loss to Lions in Week 7

The Green Bay Packers missed too many opportunities and were unable to overcome an avalanche of questionable officiating decisions in a 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field. Matt LaFleur's team was 1-for-4 in the red zone, missed two field goals, dropped an interception and a touchdown pass and finished with eight penalties, including an offside penalty late that allowed the Lions to win the game as time expired.

The gut-punch loss drops the Packers to 4-3 overall, including two division losses. Dreams of winning the NFC North are fading fast. This was a high leverage game in terms of the playoff race to end October, and the Packers let a big win slip away.

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Instant analysis of the Packers' disastrous division loss to the Lions:

Final score: Lions 20, Packers 17

It was over when...

On a day when the unexpected became common, even short field goals were a chore. But Jake Bates split the uprights from 22 yards out as time expired, giving the Lions a walk-off winner at Ford Field.

Game balls

• RB Josh Jacobs: In his 2026 debut, Jacobs turned 16 touches into 71 yards, including five catches for 55 yards and an incredible 25-yard touchdown catch. He couldn't spark the run game but was a difference maker as a pass-catcher.

• CB Keisean Nixon: His tackle for loss on fourth down in the fourth quarter should have been the game-changing play. Nixon finished with two tackles for loss against the run and two pass breakups.

• CB Brandon Cisse: The rookie had a few difficult coverage moments, and his interception was negated by a penalty, but he responded with two touchdown-saving plays. Cisse finished with two pass breakups.

Key stat

The Packers made four trips into the red zone but ended up with only seven total points on the four drives. Trey Smack missed a 26-yard field goal and had a 35-yard field goal blocked, and the Packers were stopped on fourth down from the 7-yard line in the first half.

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Jordan Love watch

Love completed 27 passes for 274 yards and two scores, and he had a third touchdown pass dropped in the end zone. However, he averaged only 6.1 yards per attempt and threw an interception in the second half. His passer rating was 83.0. Love made a bunch of impressive plays under pressure at various points in the game and took only one sack. He also extended a play on a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft in the first half.

Injury updates

The Packers lost centers Sean Rhyan (ankle) and Jacob Monk (quad) in the first quarter. Matt LaFleur doesn't think either will be able to go next week. Devonte Wyatt and Tucker Kraft both left the game briefly but returned.

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What's next

A short week. The Packers will host the Carolina Panthers, who dropped to 3-3 with a 43-13 loss at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, on "Thursday Night Football" to open Week 8.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Instant analysis of Packers' 20-17 loss to Lions in Week 7