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Refs screw over Packers on Za'Darius Smith's dirty hit on Jordan Love

Shenanigans!
Cameron Ellis
Cameron Ellis

Lombardi Ave

Dec 5, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) gets sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

One of the many fun storylines heading into Thursday night's game in Detroit was the Za'Darius Smith matchup. Smith and the Packers obviously have their history, with two of Smith's three Pro Bowl appearances happening during seasons he was in Green Bay.

After stints in Minnesota and Cleveland, Smith was traded to Detroit earlier this year and is this year's official well-liked veteran that gets to go from a mess to a title contender.

He didn't take much time to establish his presence on Thursday night, and quite possibly got away with a little hometown call in the process. I don't want to say that the the refs in Detroit are calling the game differently for the Lions, but I will like the funniest Tweets I find that imply that.

Za'Darius Smith got away with what looks like a pretty dirty hit on Jordan Love

On a Packers scramble in the first half, Love was leaving the pocket – and getting dragged down at the same time – right as Smith came flying in and made contact with Love's helmet. It certainly looks like he got away with a penalty!

READ MORE: Andrew Whitworth obliterates Aaron Rodgers in epic rant during Thursday Night Football

But you (and all the people on the internet who also think it's a penalty) can be the judge of that. Maybe there's some loophole that secretly allows defenders to run through a QB with their forearm that I just don't know about.

The video was also a pretty good summary of how the first quarter went for the Packers. Heading into the second quarter, Green Bay's offense had less than 100 total yards of total offense, with their first three possessions being two three-and-outs and a fumble from Christian Watson.

It hasn't exactly been the most encouraging 17 minutes of football, and seeing Smith in a Lions uniform just feels kinda weird.

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Cameron Ellis

Cameron Ellis

Cam Ellis is an NFL staff writer for FanSided, specializing in covering all 32 teams across the league, including the Las Vegas Raiders. He has a decade of experience in sports media, having spent time at 680 The Score in Chicago, ABC Denver, and NBC Sports Washington. Since 2014 his work has been featured on NBC Sports Chicago, The Ralphie Report, and various sites across Minute Media and FanSided. In his career he has covered the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, free agency, and is a regular part of gameday coverage.