Packers Fall to Lions as Trey Smack Misses Two Short Field Goals

Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack missed two field goals under 35 yards, including a 26-yard attempt wide right and a 35-yard kick blocked by DJ Wonnum, during a 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions on October 25, 2026, at Ford Field.

The Green Bay Packers left Ford Field on October 25, 2026, wondering how a game filled with red-zone stalls and special teams blunders slipped away. Head coach Matt LaFleur pointed directly to four trips inside the 20-yard line that produced a meager seven points in the 20-17 defeat to the Detroit Lions. While postgame discussions swirled around questionable officiating and a flurry of yellow flags, the Packers acknowledged that their own execution—highlighted by missed scoring chances and kicking woes—decided the NFC North matchup.

Kicking Woes and Red-Zone Failures Sink Green Bay

The offensive struggles began early. On the game’s opening drive, the Packers stalled at the 3-yard line and watched a delay of game penalty turn a short try into a 26-yard field goal attempt that rookie kicker Trey Smack pushed wide right. Smack missed a second short kick later in the contest when his 35-yard attempt was tipped by Lions defender DJ Wonnum. Across the NFL, kickers had converted 167 of 170 attempts from inside 37 yards this season before Sunday, leaving Smack responsible for two of those rare misses.

We left a lot of points out there that we didn’t finish in the red zone, didn’t finish with the kicks.

Jordan Love, Packers quarterback

LaFleur admitted regret over a second-quarter decision to go for it on fourth-and-4 from the Detroit 7-yard line rather than attempting a tying field goal that would have knotted the score at 10. While running back Josh Jacobs contributed a 25-yard touchdown catch, the offense frequently stalled; MarShawn Lloyd notably dropped a pass and turned eight touches into 35 yards, while RT Anthony Belton struggled with four hurries and a holding penalty.

On the defensive side, the Packers faced a nightmarish matchup against Jahmyr Gibbs, who rushed 29 times for 116 yards. Although the team held Detroit’s potent attack to 17 points until the final seconds, individual assignments faltered. LB Isaiah McDuffie missed three tackles, while DB Javon Bullard gave up 56 receiving yards into his coverage.

Jared Goff and the Lions Milk the Clock for a Walk-Off Win

The Lions improved to 4-2 on the season and 1-0 in the division by mounting a methodical final drive after a defensive stand. With 3:21 remaining in a 17-17 tie, Jared Goff led an offense that covered 56 yards across 10 plays, draining the clock and forcing Green Bay to burn all three timeouts. Goff finished the day completing 19 of 27 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown when kept clean.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs managed the clock by deliberately falling down short of the end zone and the first-down marker to prevent giving the ball back to Jordan Love too early. Head coach Dan Campbell defended his aggressive approach throughout the afternoon, including a failed fourth-and-1 run earlier in the quarter that handed the Packers prime field position at the Detroit 22-yard line.

I thought we would get it. … Two, I thought we would get the ball back if it didn’t work out.

Dan Campbell, Lions head coach

That gamble paid off when Wonnum tipped Smack’s late field goal attempt. Moments later, kicker Jake Bates delivered the game-winning kick as time expired to seal the 20-17 victory. The Lions’ success was bolstered by a secondary rotation that included the return of Rock Ya-Sin and consequential snaps for Khalil Dorsey, who helped limit Green Bay’s deep passing game.

Matt LaFleur Commits to Trey Smack Ahead of Thursday Night Football

Despite mounting fan frustration, LaFleur stated firmly in his postgame press conference that Trey Smack will remain the team’s kicker moving forward. The rookie has converted 11 of 16 field goal attempts this season, with four misses occurring over the last three weeks alongside two missed extra points through October 2026.

The Packers face another short week of preparation before hosting the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football. Green Bay expects to play without centers Sean Rhyan and Jacob Monk, both of whom sustained injuries during the loss in Detroit. With the team currently carrying an oversigned offensive line, they may look to activate reserves like Kevin Zeitler, Donovan Jennings, or Jager Burton to strengthen the unit for the upcoming matchup.

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