The Packers were looking to get aggressive early against the Broncos.
Green Bay's second drive of the game had stalled around midfield, with the Packers facing fourth-and-6, but rather than punt the ball away, head coach Matt LaFleur elected to keep his offense on the field and see if they could pick up the first down.
Unfortunately for LaFleur, his offense never got the chance, as the Packers were flagged for a false start penalty, turning the fourth-and-6 opportunity into a far more challenging fourth-and-11.
What was most peculiar about the penalty was the fact that it was called on the Packers center, Josh Myers.
Replays of the alleged false start showed Myers put his head down to check for his quarterback's signal, and then get into position to snap. Two Broncos defenders reacted early, and the Packers offense was sure they had drawn an offside penalty.
Instead, the flag was on Green Bay.
Refs called this a false start on the #Packers…
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 22, 2023
Okay.
pic.twitter.com/nUUFYd93UD
Myers's motion was a movement NFL centers make every single Sunday. Fans watching at home were confused by the call.
How is that a false start on Josh Meyers?!
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) October 22, 2023
Wow. Disaster start for the #Packers offense. Like we’ve seen so many times for Green Bay.
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) October 22, 2023
Although, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that called a false start before.
Matt LaFleur was going ballistic on the sidelines.
Not sure how that’s a penalty on Josh Myers.
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) October 22, 2023
Josh Myers got flagged for playing football.
— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) October 22, 2023
The Packers ultimately punted the ball away, resulting in a touchback
