The Detroit Lions are preparing for their highly anticipated Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, but there’s already a cloud of concern hanging over the game—and it has nothing to do with either roster. Instead, all eyes are on the officiating crew assigned to the contest, led by referee Carl Cheffers, a name that brings back painful memories for Lions fans.
For those who have followed Detroit football over the years, Cheffers is synonymous with one of the most gut-wrenching moments in franchise history. He was the head referee during the Lions’ infamous 2015 loss to the Green Bay Packers, a game decided by a controversial untimed down. After his crew called a questionable face mask penalty on Detroit—one that replays later showed didn’t actually occur—Aaron Rodgers threw a game-winning Hail Mary that still stings in the Motor City nearly a decade later.
That history alone is enough to make Lions fans uneasy, but recent numbers make the situation even more concerning. Through the first three weeks of this season, Cheffers’ crew has been the most flag-happy unit in the NFL, averaging 18.67 penalties per game, far more than any other officiating team. For context, Cheffers’ group was actually the least flag-prone last season, averaging just 10.3 penalties per contest. The sudden jump has raised eyebrows across the league, with many questioning whether this crew is setting an unsustainable precedent.
The Lions, however, may enter the game with some cautious optimism. The last time Cheffers officiated one of their matchups came in Week 8 of the 2024 season against the Tennessee Titans, when only 11 total penalties were called and Detroit was flagged just three times. That kind of restraint is exactly what both the Lions and Bengals will be hoping for this Sunday.
So far, the Lions have been among the NFL’s most disciplined teams in 2025, racking up just 171 penalty yards through four games, the fourth-lowest total in the league. The Bengals sit right behind them with 172 yards, meaning both squads have been relatively clean and efficient.
The real question heading into Sunday is whether Cheffers and his crew will allow that trend to continue—or if their recent flag-heavy approach will take center stage. Fans on both sides can only hope that this pivotal matchup is decided by the players on the field rather than by yellow flags flying from the officials’ pockets.
