nfl referee assignments week 8

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NFL referee assignments Week 8: Who are the officials for every game this week?

As always, the goal for NFL officials who are assigned to NFL games in Week 8 of the 2019 season is for observers not to care who's assigned to what game. If nobody's talking about the officiating, that generally means those calling the games are doing a good job.

Of course, in 2019, chatter around NFL officiating has been as loud as ever, leaving referees to explain questionable calls made by their crews after most games. With the addition of pass interference to the NFL's replay review system this year, senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron's performance is also under the microscope.

Each week, the NFL announces its referee assignments for its slate of games on Thursday, Sunday and Monday. Each referee is tied to his crew of six other officials, including the umpire, line judge, side judge, back judge, field judge and down judge.

MORE:  Lions-Packers fiasco illustrates NFL's officiating issues

NFL referee assignments Week 8

The NFL has released its roster of referees and officials for Week 8 of the 2019 NFL season. Here are the assignments for every game.

Redskins at Vikings referee, officials

Eagles at Bills referee, officials

Seahawks at Falcons referee, officials

Chargers at Bears referee, officials

Cardinals at Saints referee, officials

Bengals at Rams referee, officials

Broncos at Colts referee, officials

Giants at Lions referee, officials

Buccaneers at Titans referee, officials

Jets at Jaguars referee, officials

Panthers at 49ers referee, officials

Raiders at Texans referee, officials

Browns at Patriots referee, officials

Packers at Chiefs referee, officials

Dolphins at Steelers referee, officials

NFL officials assignments, responsibilities

Each of the seven NFL officials on the field in a given NFL game have specific roles, watching different areas of the field and looking out for different kinds of penalties on a given play.

Below are the responsibilities of each official, via NFL Operations .

Lining up 10-12 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the offensive backfield, the referee is the white-hat wearing leader of the crew who signals all penalties and is the final authority on all rulings. Below are the referee's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

Run plays: Watches nap; follows QB until action moves downfield; then follows runner to determine forward progress and position of the ball; determines first downs or if a measurement is necessary.

Pass plays: Shadows QB from drop to release; drops back as the play starts and monitors offensive tackles; turns attention solely to QB as defense approaches; watches for roughing the passer; rules on intentional grounding; makes the decision whether a loose ball is a fumble or incomplete pass.

Special teams: Watches for running into/roughing the kicker.

Lining up next to the referee 10-12 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the offensve backfield, the umpire primarily watches for holding and blocking fouls. He or she also reviews player equipment, counts offensive players on the field and marks off penalty yardage. Below are the umpire's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special teams-plays.

Run plays: Watches for false starts on offensive line; watches for illegal blocks by the offense or any defensive fouls at the line of scrimmage.

Pass plays: Watches for false stars on offensive line; on screens, turns attention to intended receiver to make sure he is able to run his route; watches for blocking penalties.

Special teams: Watches for any penalties.

Lining up on the sideline and looking directly down the line of scrimmage, the down judge directs the chain crew, informs the ref of the down and rules on sideline plays on the nearest half of the field. Below are the down judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

Run plays: Watches for offside or encroachment; monitors sideline; determines when/if a runner is out of bounds; marks runner's forward progress.

Pass plays: Watches nearest receiver for first seven yards of his route until he is clear the point of legal contact for defensive backs; watches for pass interference.

Special teams: Watches for offside and encroachment; rules on penalties involving blockers and defenders on trick plays.

Lining up on the sideline opposite the down judge and looking directly down the line of scrimmage, the line judge has similar duties without the chain crew direction. Below are the line judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

Run plays: Watches for offside and encroachment; watches blockers and defenders on nearest side for penalties.

Pass plays: Watches for offside and encroachment on nearest side of field; follows nearest receiver for seven yards downfield; moves into offensive backfield to determine if pass is forwards or backwards; makes sure passer is behind the line of scrimmage when he throws the ball.

Special teams: Stays at line of scrimmage on punts to make sure only players on the ends of the line move downfield before the kick; rules on whether the kick crosses the line of scrimmage; watches kicking team for penalties.

• Field judge

Lining up on the same sideline as the line judge but 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield, the field judge counts defensive players and watches wide receivers/defensive backs on the nearest side of the field. Below are the field judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

Run plays: Watches widest receiver's blocking and looks for illegal use of hands or holding; determines if/when a runner on nearest side of the field goes out of bounds.

Pass plays: Watches widest receiver on nearest side of the field and makes sure he is able to run his route without interference; rules on whether a pass to nearest side of the field is incomplete; rules on whether a receiver is in or out of bounds when he makes a catch; watches for pass interference.

Special teams: Rules on blocking during punts; lines up under goal posts to rule on whether field goals and extra points are good.

Lining up on the same sideline as the down judge but 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield, the side judge backs up the clock operator, signals to the ref when time expires for each quarter and counts defensive players. Below are the side judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

Run plays: Watches widest receiver's blocking and looks for illegal use of hands or holding; determines if/when a runner on nearest side of the field goes out of bounds.

Pass plays: Watches widest receiver on nearest side of the field and makes sure he is able to run his route without interference; rules on whether a pass to nearest side of the field is incomplete; rules on whether a receiver is in or out of bounds when he makes a catch; watches for pass interference.

Special teams: Watches punt returner and any action around him; joins umpire in defensive backfield on field goal and PAT attampts; watches for penalties along the line of scrimmage.

Usually lining up on the tight end's side, the back judge is positioned 25 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield. The back judge keeps track of the play clock and all TV breaks, counts defensive players and focuses on tight ends and all the players on the end of the lines. Below are the back judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays and special-teams plays.

Run plays: Watches tight end for illegal blocking or defensive penalties.

Pass plays: Watches tight end for illegal use of hands or defensive interference; rules on whether a receiver made a legal catch; determines who recovered a fumble.

Special teams: Rules on fair catches; lines up under goal posts to rule on whether field goals and extra points are good.

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NFL announcers schedule for Week 1 revealed

Everyone is ready for some football.

The NFL regular season kicks off on Thursday as the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs play host to the Baltimore Ravens . A day later, the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers duel in Brazil. What other games are on the Week 1 slate and who will be calling the games?

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs: Sept. 5, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Announcers: Mike Tirico, Chris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sao Paulo, Brazil): 8:15 p.m. ET, Peacock

Announcers: Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, and Kaylee Hartung

Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons : 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Announcers: Joe Davis, Greg Olsen , Pam Oliver

Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills : 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Announcers: Tom McCarthy, Jay Feely , Ross Tucker, Tiffany Blackmon

Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears : 1 pm. ET, FOX

Announcers: Adam Amin, Mark Sanchez , Kristina Pink

New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals : 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Announcers: Ian Eagles, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts : 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Announcers: Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Jason McCourty , AJ Ross

Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins : 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints : 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Announcers: Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth, Jen Hale

Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants : 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Announcers: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Megan Olivi

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers : 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

Announcers: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo , Tracy Wolfson

Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks : 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

Announcers: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala

Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns : 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady , Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers : 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Announcers: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin

Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions : 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Announcers: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark

New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers : 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN

Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters

This article originally appeared on List Wire: NFL announcers schedule for Week 1 revealed

NCAA and NFL Referee news

Week 8 – NFL Officials Game Assignments

October 23, 2008 By jon

Here is our weekly thread to sort out which officials are working which games for week 8 .  We’ve got a few listed so far , but let us know as you learn of others.

Share this:

October 23, 2008 at 11:30 pm

Mike Carey will do the Monday nighter between the Colts and Titans.

Also, I heard that Tony Corrente will do the London game between the Chargers and Saints.

October 24, 2008 at 5:06 am

Cool, thanks. Updated.

October 26, 2008 at 9:01 am

Bucs VS Cowboys

Referee is Gene Steratore

October 26, 2008 at 9:35 am

Rams VS Patriots

Referee is Scott Green

October 26, 2008 at 12:18 pm

Updated, thanks!

October 26, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Jerome Boger- ATL@PHI

October 26, 2008 at 2:00 pm

Alright, Jerome is up there with a few others now. Thanks!

October 26, 2008 at 3:30 pm

CLE @ JAC: Alberto Riveron NYG @ PIT: Bill Carollo SEA @ SF: Terry McAulay

October 26, 2008 at 4:13 pm

Shane — That’s it, week 8 is done. Thanks!

October 27, 2008 at 7:05 pm

throughout the game, the steeler DB’s were stretching those giant’s receiver’s jerseys but the refs never called a def. holding penalty all night long. they did see that unnecessary roughness on the bobbled pass hit that cost the giants 15 yards. but 3 plays later, the giants turned up the intensity and knocked the ball loose from washington & intercepted it. were those refs just general homies or steeler fans or totally incompetent.

NFL Referee Assignment for Week 1 & Impact on NFL Betting

We tend to only focus on NFL referees after a controversial decision or bad no-call. Yet, each head NFL referee and his respective crew interprets the game differently.

Gaining insight into the way a game will be officiated can have immense value in the betting market.

A referee who calls more penalties for defensive holding and roughing the passer has a far different impact on game flow than a ref who focuses more on offensive holding and false starts.

Referee style one week may hide a team’s weakness (defensive backs), but a different official who leans heavily on calling pass interference will compound that weakness the next week.

Same team. Different outcomes.

Throughout this 2024 NFL season, we’ll help to identify important trends and tendencies by different NFL referees to help you gain an edge when placing a bet .

NFL Referee Assignment for Week 1

 John Hussey’s Impact on Texans at Colts

The Colts and Texans face off in the season opener with an opportunity to lay the foundation for a successful 2024 campaign by securing an all-important divisional win.

Let’s assess the strengths and weaknesses of both teams from a penalty perspective and how the officiating of John Hussey will potentially impact this game.

Penalty Tendencies:

• The Texans were the No. 1 penalized road team in 2023, averaging 8.11 penalties per game
• The Texans ranked third in pre-snap penalties per game in 2023
• John Hussey’s crew called 43.1% of overall penalties on the home team in 2023, well below the NFL average of 49.4%. That continues a trend of below average penalties on the home team from Hussey over many seasons
• The Texans ranked in the top five for defensive pass interference penalties on the road in 2023. The Colts were a top 10 beneficiary of DPI penalties at home last season. Hussey’s crew has assessed 62% of their defensive pass interference penalties on the road team since the start of the 2021 season
• On key third down plays, Hussey’s crew has called the second lowest percentage of penalties on the home team over the past three seasons
• The Texans special teams unit was a top-10 penalized group in 2023, with that unit accounting for 13.5% of the team’s overall penalties. Conversely, the Colts special teams unit was one of the least penalized in 2023
• The Colts defense accounted for 38% of the team’s pre-snap infractions in 2023, well above the league average of 22% in this category. This is not necessarily bad. We see a correlation between high defensive pre-snap penalties resulting in even more excessive penalties on opposing offenses as a result. It’s something worth monitoring in this matchup

The Bottom Line:

• Home teams were 14-3 on the moneyline & 13-3-1 ATS (80%) with John Hussey in 2023 
• Divisional home teams are 38-14 on the moneyline (73%) and 35-15-2 ATS (70% ) with Hussey officiating since the start of 2016, including 4-1 on the moneyline & ATS in 2023

The Texans have been arguably the most hyped team in the offseason. That’s understandable given they exceeded expectations in C.J. Stroud ‘s rookie season and have added some high profile talent in free agency.

The Colts are no joke themselves. Shane Steichen is an elite head coach who will have this team ready in their home opener.

If the Texans’ 2023 numbers are any indication, expect them to have the same road penalty issues to start 2024.

John Hussey’s crew will do them no favors in a hostile Lucas Oil Stadium where the crowd is one of the most impactful in the NFL.

We’re going against the grain here, in a game that ends with a 24-23 type scoreline, and taking the Colts +3 points in this AFC South opener.

Bet Colts vs. Texans Now!

Scott Novak’s Impact on Raiders at Chargers

After much offseason fanfare, the Jim Harbaugh era gets underway in Los Angeles. The matchup gives us two teams looking to play a similar style of no-frills football.

Let’s assess the strengths and weaknesses of both teams from a penalty perspective and how the officiating of Scott Novak will potentially impact this game.

• The Raiders had the lowest per game penalty average in 2023, ranking 32nd overall
• The Chargers are consistently one of the least penalized teams in the NFL, ranking 30th in penalty per game average in 2023. Jim Harbaugh ’s Michigan Wolverines were the least penalized college football team in 2023, averaging just three penalties per game. Harbaugh’s San Francisco 49ers team was always one of the least penalized for offensive holding and false start infractions
• Scott Novak’s crew has called the second lowest percentage of their overall penalties on defensive linemen and linebackers since the start of the 2021 season. They will provide leeway for both defensive fronts on Sunday
• Noavk’s crew has called a slightly above average percentage of their pre-snap penalties on the offensive side of the ball dating back to 2019. That puts additional pressure on both offensive lines going quality defensive fronts in Week 1
• Offensive holding is the penalty equivalent of a sack. They are a drive killer. The Raiders were the No. 1 defense at generating offensive holding penalties on opponents in 2023. The Chargers ranked 13th in this key category. Both defensive lines will have an advantage versus their opposing offensive lines on Sunday
• Novak’s crew assessed 47.5% of their overall penalties in three offensive categories last season: Offensive holding, false start, and delay of game infractions. Expect that trend to continue in the 2024 season
• Home teams are just 27-49-3 ATS (36%) in Scott Novak’s career, the lowest ATS percentage of any referee since his debut in 2019
• Divisional home teams are 9-20-1 ATS (31%) in Scott Novak’s career. The question here is who is the “home” team? SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will be predominantly Raiders fans on Sunday afternoon
• Novak is 20-13 (61%) under the total in the past two seasons

This has the makings of a low scoring affair.

Both coaches will look to play risk-averse, run first football mixed in with an efficient short passing game.

Novak will call a slightly higher percentage of offensive penalties, aiding both defensive units.

The under is certainly the way to look from a total perspective in what feels like a 17-16 type contest.

Given that points will likely be at a premium in this contest, the only way we can look would be the “visiting” team, making the Raiders +3 the play in this AFC West opener.

Bet Chargers vs. Raiders Now!

Clete Blakeman’s Impact on Cowboys at Browns

The Browns host the Cowboys in a much hyped season opener. It marks the second consecutive season that Cleveland has been assigned Clete Blakeman to officiate their home opener. The game features two of the most aggressive defensive units in the NFL.

Let’s assess the strengths and weaknesses of both teams from a penalty perspective and how the officiating of Clete Blakeman will potentially impact this game.

• The Cowboys ranked third in penalties per game in 2023 and ranked first in penalty yards surrendered per game. Excessive penalties have been a constant issue in the Mike McCarthy era in Dallas
• The Browns ranked second for pre-snap penalties per game in 2023. However, a disproportionate 50% of these infractions were assessed on their defense, well above the NFL average of 22% of pre-snap penalties on defensive units. We are seeing a correlation between high defensive pre-snap penalties resulting in even more excessive penalties on opposing offenses as a result. There may be a method to the madness the Browns implemented in 2023
• To that point, Cleveland’s defense ranked No. 1 in generating offensive pre-snap infractions on opponents in 2023. The cat and mouse game between offensive and defensive lines pre-snap merits close attention on Sunday
• Expanding on the previous point, 32% of overall penalties on Browns opponents were assessed via false start infractions, by far the highest percentage generated by any defense in 2023
• The Cowboys ranked No. 1 in offensive holding penalties per game on the road in 2023. Their offensive line did not improve during the offseason. This is arguably the worst venue to start their 2024 campaign against a defense that will be rested and ready to roll
• The Cowboys ranked No. 1 for defensive offsides infractions, which contributed to them ranking third in defensive pre-snap penalties per game
• The Browns were one of two teams not to commit a roughing the passer penalty in 2023. Blakeman has been slightly above average calling roughing the passer since 2021. However, 61% of these infractions have been assessed on the road team
• Blakeman’s crew has called a below average percentage of their third down penalties on home teams over the past three seasons. Keep that statistic in mind at a key moment on third down in Sunday’s contest
• Home teams have performed well with Blakeman officiating in recent years, going 28-21-1 ATS (58%) since the start of the 2021 NFL season

The back and forth as it pertains to defensive pre-snap penalties versus offensive line penalties will be crucial.

The FOX commentary team with Tom Brady is covering this game.

Brady has mentioned the impact of pre-snap infractions regularly over the past six months. Don’t be surprised if he chimes in on this exact topic on Sunday. These teams commit more than most in that area and will provide an opportunity for him to do so at various times throughout the game.

Our numbers have the Browns’ home crowd ranked in the top five most impactful on opposing team’s offenses since the 2019 season.

Cleveland had Blakeman officiate their home opener last season, which was a blowout. It won’t be surprising to see this game unfold similarly.

If the Browns can get ahead early and allow the defense to play downhill, this game could get ugly for the Cowboys.

It may be more of a defensive struggle, but we’re taking the Browns -2.5 points and winning by double digits in their 2024 home opener.

Bet Browns vs. Cowboys Now!

2024 NFL Referees Stats & Their Historical Betting Trends

A comprehensive breakdown for every NFL Referee working games for the 2024 season, plus a deeper look at their penalty-calling historical trends, statistics, and how it may impact betting opportunity plus the pace of gameplay.

• Shawn Hochuli penalty trends
• Bill Vinovich penalty trends
• John Hussey penalty trends
• Brad Allen penalty trends
• Adrian Hill penalty trends
• Brad Rogers penalty trends
• Ron Torbert penalty trends
• Shawn Smith penalty trends
• Carl Cheffers penalty trends
• Clay Martin penalty trends
• Scott Novak penalty trends
• Clete Blakeman penalty trends
• Craig Wrolstad penalty trends

Shawn Hochuli: Referee Penalty Trends & Betting Stats

In his 63 game career, Shawn Hochuli is a notoriously smart bet when betting on the Under.

• 45-34-2 to UNDER (57%) for his career
• 9-8 UNDER record (53%) in the 2022 NFL season
• 21-10-1 UNDER (68%) in Divisional matchups for his career
• 4-4 (50%) in Divisional matchup totals in 2022

Hochuli has definitely put himself front and center with controversial calls in his career. 

• Hochuli oversaw the controversial 2021 Week 15 Seahawks vs Rams with the “no pass interference” call that effectively doomed Seattle in a 20-10 loss.
• Hochuli called 11.71 penalties per game in 2022 for 104.7 yards per game.
• Hochuli officiated the Raiders at the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day debacle in 2021. He was publicly criticized by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones following the game.
• Hochuli is the only referee to assess an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Tom Brady after Brady questioned a no call on an obvious roughing the passer penalty in the Buccaneers playoff loss to the Rams in 2022

Bill Vinovich: Referee Penalty Trends & Betting Stats

Bill Vinovich is the epitome of a “let em play” NFL referee. This means that Vinovich’s officiating crews typically don’t favor team offenses — and therefore you may find opportunity when betting the Under.

Last season in 2022, Vinovich and his crew called the fewest penalties per NFL game:

• average of 8.47 penalties per game
• average of 61.47 yards penalized per game

called the fewest (zero!) roughing the passer penalties in 2021 and only four in 2022

• third fewest defensive holding penalties per game
• the fewest defensive pass interference penalties per game

Over the past 7 seasons, Vinovich’s lack of penalty calling has resulted in a:

• 71-42-3 UNDER record (63%) since 2016
• 28-15-3 UNDER (65%) in Divisional matchups since 2016
• 9-6-1 UNDER (62%) in the 2022 NFL season

Vinovich has been the head referee in the Super Bowl twice: in Super Bowl LIV (Chiefs vs 49ers) & Super Bowl XLIX (Seahawks vs Patriots).

Every NFL bettor & fan remembers the Rams vs. Saints 2019 NFC Championship game:

Known in New Orleans as the “NOLA NO CALL” when Saints WR Tommy Lee Lewis was tackled by Rams CB Nickeli Robey Coleman at the 13 yard line but no flag was thrown .

It probably cost the Saints a spot in the Super Bowl and highlights again why it’s not just the penalties called we focus on, but which NFL referee is LESS likely to make that big call — which is equally as impactful in many cases.

John Hussey: Referee Penalty Trends & Betting Stats

John Hussey has been the #1 referee for home teams since the start of the 2016 season.

Hussey’s officiating trends towards a “let ‘em play” style:

• Hussey called the third fewest penalties per game in 2022
• Hussey called some of the fewest in NFL in key penalty categories:roughing the passer & defensive holding
• Hussey led the NFL in 2022 in unnecessary roughness penalties

Over the past 7 seasons, when Hussey is the referee, home teams have been heavy favorites, going:

• 76-39 (66%) against the Moneyline
• 33-13 (74%) against the Moneyline in Divisional matchups
• 65-46-4 (59%) ATS 
• 31-13-2  (71%) ATS in Divisional matchups
• 12-5 on the moneyline in the 2022 NFL season

Brad Allen: Referee Penalty Trends & Betting Stats

Former ACC ref who is unique in that he transitioned immediately from college football directly to a head NFL referee.

Allen averaged 11.94 penalties per game in 2022, tying him for fourth overall in the NFL.

Brad Allen has been a solid home field referee since 2016.

•  Home teams with Brad Allen are 65-47-1 SU (60%) & 61-49-3 ATS (57%) since 2016
•  Home underdogs are 24-14-1 ATS (65%) since 2016
• Called only 41.8% of penalties on home teams in 2022
• 61-52 Under (54%) in past 7 seasons
• 27-15 Under (65%) in Divisional games
• Led the NFL in false start penalties in 2022
• Ranked second overall in defensive holding penalties per game in 2022

Adrian Hill: Referee Penalty Trends & How it may impact betting

Adrian Hill has been a head referee since 2019. It’s a small body of work,  but definitely trending under.

Very even-keeled, his home/away splits are similar & Hill is generally around the average mark in most key penalty categories.

Hill is what the NFL would probably prefer. A solid ref who to date hasn’t been involved in controversial calls.

• 40-25-1 Under (61%) in his 65 game career
• 14-5-1 Under (73%) in Divisional matchups
• Home teams are 31-34-1 on the moneyline in Hill’s career

Brad Rogers: Referee Penalty Trends & How it may impact betting

Rogers is another new referee but his brief career has resulted in an astounding totals record.

Since his debut in 2019 Brad Rogers has gone over the total in 60% of games officiated.

Rogers went 10-6 Under in the 2022 season, the first season he has not had an above .500 Over record in his career.

A lot of Rogers penalty metrics don’t necessarily justify games going over at this rate.

It’s a small sample size (60 games) & doesn’t feel sustainable. However, it’s definitely something worth noting in any game officiated by Brad Rogers.

• 37-24 Over (60%) in 60 career games
• 14-6 Over (70%) in Divisional matchups
• Home teams are 27-34 on the moneyline in Rogers’ career
• Home teams have an almost identical record going 29-32 ATS in Rogers officiated contests

Ron Torbert: Referee Penalty Trends & How it may impact betting

Torbert is a solid referee who officiated the Rams 23-20 victory in SB LVI and the 2022 AFC Championship. Torbert has also pivoted into a very good Under referee the past three seasons

• Since 2016 home teams with Torbert are 68-49 (58%) on the moneyline, however just 50-66-1 ATS (39%)
• Home underdogs with Torbert since 2016 are just 15-27 ATS (35%) 
• Torbert pivoted to a more “let ‘em play” approach over the past few seasons and that style has contributed to a 36-18 Under (67%) record since the start of the 2020 NFL season
• Torbert has not placed the same emphasis on certain discipline oriented penalties as many of his peers. Only three times in his nine year career has Ron Torbert ranked in the top five for unnecessary roughness calls. Only once in that span has he ranked in the top five for unsportsmanlike conduct infractions

Shawn Smith: Referee Penalty Trends & How it may impact betting

Shawn Smith is entering his sixth season in the NFL. Solid & not intimidated by home crowds as evidenced by his ATS numbers.

Smith’s officiating style also gives the offense a chance to make plays & perhaps get assistance via a pass interference call to extend drives.

• Home teams in Smith’s career are 39-41-1 on the moneyline and 35-45-2 ATS (44%) 
• IHome teams in Divisional matchups are 10-21 ATS (34%) with Smith officiating
• 42-39-1 Over (51%) as a head referee. Smith was 10-6 Under in 2022, the lone season he has trended to the low side of the total
• Smith assessed a career low 44.2% of his penalties on the home team in 2022
• Defensive pass interference penalties averages have been on a downward trajectory every year since Shawn Smith’s first season in 2018

Carl Cheffers: Referee Penalty Trends & how it may impact betting

Cheffers consistently ranks in the top five penalties per game average. He led the NFL in penalties per game in the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons.

The takeaway from his long term trends are that when the dust has settled the home team wins well above the NFL average. 

Carl Cheffers was the referee for SBLV and SBLVII.  

• Led the NFL in 2022 with 12.39 penalties per game for 106.4 yds per game
• Home teams are 69-49-1 SU (60%) since 2016
• In Divisional matchups home teams are 27-14 (66%) since 2016 
• Despite his league leading 12.39 penalties per game in 2022, Cheffers assessed the fewest fourth quarter penalties in 2022. Only 26% of his overall penalties were called in in the fourth quarter of games.

Clay Martin: Referee Penalty Trends & how they may impact betting

Clay Martin is entering his sixth season as a head referee.

Limited sample size to this point but based on Clay Martin’s career stats he’s not swayed by home crowds based on his ATS numbers.

• Martin called just 40% of his overall penalties on home teams in 2022
• Home teams are 33-43-1 ATS (45%) in Martin’s career

Scott Novak: Referee Penalty Trends & how they may impact betting

In his first two seasons as a head referee Novak was the epitome of a “let em play” referee. He called the fewest penalties per game in his debut 2019 season & the 5th fewest in 2020.

That changed over the past few seasons as Novak calls an above average amount of penalties per game.

Home teams have struggled with Novak officiating in his career

• Home teams are 21-41-3 ATS (35%) with Scott Novak officiating
• Home teams in Divisional games are 5-18-1 ATS (22%) with Scott Novak
• Novak emphasizes delay of game penalties more than most referees. He has ranked in the top three in three of his four seasons as a head referee

Clete Blakeman: Referee Penalty Trends & how they may impact betting

Blakeman, a veteran ref who calls it down the middle. Need proof? Since 2016 home teams with Blakeman officiating are exactly .500.. 

That said,Blakeman’s crew has had its share of bad calls that generated a lot of criticism,notably the “no call” on a clear defensive pass interference from Carolina vs New England in a MNF showdown in 2013 as time expired.

Another MNF debacle with Blakeman was Week 6, 2019 where his crew made questionable calls late that greatly benefited Green Bay in a dramatic 23-22 Packers win over the Lions

• Home teams 59-56 on the moneyline with Blakeman since 2016

Craig Wrolstad: Referee Penalty Trends & how they may impact betting

Wrolstad averaged just 9.3 penalties per game in 2022, the second lowest of any referee.

• Home teams 44-68 ATS (39.5%) with Wrolstad since 2016 
• Home underdogs are 17-33 ATS (34%) since 2016
• Wrolstad generally ranks in the lower tier of overall penalties per game in NFL

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Head Referee for Chiefs vs. Ravens Week 1 Game Revealed

By cem yolbulan | 10:51 am cdt.

The long wait is over and the 2024 NFL season is finally here . The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their journey for a historic three-peat at Arrowhead Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night. As the kickoff time inches closer, we are getting more details about the game. On Tuesday night, it was revealed that veteran referee Shawn Hochuli will be in charge for the first game of the season.

NFL News: Shawn Hochuli Head Referee in Chiefs Season Opener

Referee for Ravens at Chiefs @SNFonNBC — Shawn Hochuli https://t.co/uptPoY2cie #BALvsKC #Kickoff2024 pic.twitter.com/0IEfOgRhTX —  Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) September 3, 2024

Hochuli is entering his seventh season in the league as a head referee. Last season, he was assigned to 17 regular season games, including two Chiefs wins, one against the Patriots and another against the Broncos. He was also in charge in the Divisional Round win against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, he gave five penalties to the Bills for 28 yards as opposed to two penalties for 15 yards for the Chiefs.

It is safe to say that the Chiefs' track record with Hochuli as the head referee is a good sign ahead of Thursday. Kansas City similarly went 2-0 in the 2022 NFL season with Hochuli officiating their game.

This will be the 12th Chiefs game Hochuli will work as a head referee. In the prior 11 games, Kansas City has a 9-2 record.

With Hochuli as the head referee, home teams won 58.8% of the games last season, slightly more than the league average. That could give the Chiefs another slight advantage in the game they are already favored by 3 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

More Chiefs news and rumors:

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Officially the new NFL kickoff, tackling, replay rules will task adjusting referees

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The NFL is making changes this season from start to finish, from so-called dynamic kickoffs to the way some defenders finish tackles.

Even casual observers will notice the difference in kickoffs, a one-year change aimed at making the play safer and more relevant. The new rules put the majority of opposing players much closer together for kickoffs, limiting those violent, full-speed collisions.

The league is also cracking down on “hip-drop” tackles in which ball carriers are wrangled down from behind by a tackler who unweights — fully lifts his body off the ground — to generate the required pull-down force.

That doesn’t mean officials will always be able to spot those tackles in games, but the league will be on the lookout to fine offenders in the aftermath.

“There’s going to be a lot of these that might end up occurring where there might not be a flag on the field because it’s so hard for the officials to see it,” said Walt Anderson, longtime referee turned NFL officiating rules analyst. “But you have to have a rule on the books to at least be able to deal with it during the week in the discipline process. That’s how most of them will be dealt with.”

NFL preview 2024: Seven teams that can win the Super Bowl in New Orleans

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Sept. 1, 2024

There are four elements to a hip-drop tackle: the wrapping with the hands or arms, the swiveling across the back of the ball carrier’s body, the unweighting in which the defender lifts himself off the ground, and the dropping onto the knee or below in a way that endangers the offensive player’s lower leg, ankle or foot.

“We’ve looked [at] a lot of plays in the preseason,” Anderson said. “There have been a lot of tackles that had some of the elements of the hip-drop tackle, but we only found two tackles in the preseason that met the requirements for a hip-drop tackle.”

The preseason gave NFL fans a chance to look at the new kickoffs. On those, the ball is kicked from the 35-yard line with 10 kick coverage players assembled on the opposing 40, five on each side of the field.

Those players are within point-blank range of the “set up zone” between the 30- and 35-yard lines, the area where at least nine of the return-team blockers are required to assemble. So, almost everyone on the field is gathered in a tight cluster. No one in that area is allowed to move until the kicked ball either hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.

“The challenges that it presented for us was just getting used to mechanically officiating it from different positions on the field because the setup zones were aligned very differently from what the traditional kickoff was,” Anderson said.

“The officials, every week it seemed to get a little more comfortable for them.”

Less dramatic but still impactful are the changes to replay challenges. A coach no longer has to win both challenges to be awarded a third challenge. The new rules say going 1-1 on those challenges is sufficient to earn a third.

The NFL experimented this preseason with a more efficient way to determine if a first down was gained after the ball is spotted by hand. The league set up camera systems in four stadiums to use Hawk-Eye tracking services for line-to-gain measurements.

Kickers tackling? You’ll see them forced to try under new NFL kickoff rules

Players, coaches, officials and millions of fans are going to need to keep studying in attempt to comprehend the impacts of the NFL’s new kickoff rule.

Aug. 8, 2024

That could shave as much as a minute off those ultra-close calls, and the Hawk-Eye — the same system used to determine in tennis whether the ball was in or out — is accurate down to the fraction of an inch. The NFL would keep the chain crew as a backup.

“The goal is, everybody’s on board with at some point we’ll end up implementing this during the regular season, maybe as soon as 2025,” Anderson said.

The system isn’t quite perfect yet.

“We were happy when the process went well,” he said. “Then we had a few instances which always happens whenever you’re testing things, well we need to work on refining these elements. Maybe it was a situation where the ball wasn’t as quickly visible to be able to mark it. There was maybe a little more of a delay than we want to work at having.”

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Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his “long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football,” Sam Farmer has covered the NFL for 25 seasons. A graduate of Occidental College, he’s a two-time winner of California Sportswriter of the Year and first place for beat writing by Associated Press Sports Editors.

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