NFL exec says Lions lineman unfairly penalized

UNDATED (AP) _ One NFL executive says the Detroit Lions were unfairly punished by an erroneous penalty during Monday’s 23-22 loss to the Packers in Green Bay.

Executive vice president Troy Vincent says the second hands to the face call on Lions defensive end Trey Flowers was incorrect. Flowers was flagged for the same infraction during the second half. Vincent felt the first call was legitimate but said of the second: “When you look at and review the play, it’s not something you want to see called.”

Flowers had never been whistled for hands-to-the-face fouls in his five-year NFL career

The second penalty allowed the Packers to continue a game-winning drive that put them near the Detroit goal line before Mason Crosby hit a game-winning field goal as time expired. The Lions led 22-13 with just over nine minutes remaining before Green Bay stayed atop the NFC North at 5-1.