Image Source: Chris Cwik
Key Takeaways
- The NFL has assigned its best officials to the biggest games of the year, including the divisional round
- Carl Cheffers, John Hussey, Shawn Smith, and Shawn Hochuli are among the referees assigned to the divisional round games
- Each referee has a unique style and tendency when it comes to calling penalties, which could impact the outcome of the games
- Home teams have had varying levels of success when each of these referees has been assigned to their games
- The NFL’s assignment of referees is crucial, as it can affect the outcome of the games and the overall fairness of the playoffs
Introduction to the NFL’s Referee Assignments
As the NFL season winds down and teams get eliminated, the league also starts to cut down on which officiating crews get assigned to each game. With the games mattering more, the NFL typically makes sure its best officials are assigned to the biggest games of the year. The league unveiled those referee assignments Monday, and some familiar names will once again get the call in the divisional round. As the article states, "the league also starts to cut down on which officiating crews get assigned to each game. With the games mattering more, the NFL typically makes sure its best officials are assigned to the biggest games of the year." This is a crucial aspect of the NFL’s playoff system, as the right referees can help ensure that the games are fair and that the best teams advance.
The Assignment of Carl Cheffers
The Bills at Broncos game, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, will be refereed by Carl Cheffers. Cheffers is the most senior referee assigned to a divisional-round game, with 26 seasons of experience as an NFL official, including 18 as a referee. This contest will mark the 21st postseason assignment of his career, per Football Zebras. Cheffers has served as a referee during all rounds of the playoffs before, including three Super Bowls. As the article notes, "Cheffers’ crew is known for calling more penalties compared to the average NFL crew. It averaged nearly two penalties per game more compared to other officiating crews this season, per Pro Football Reference." This could be an important factor in the game, as the Broncos may benefit from Cheffers’ crew calling more penalties on the visiting Bills.
The Assignment of John Hussey
The 49ers at Seahawks game, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, will be refereed by John Hussey. Hussey, like Cheffers, has a ton of experience as an official, with 24 seasons under his belt, including 11 as a referee. He’s had 19 postseason assignments over his career, per Football Zebras, and has officiated in every round of the playoffs, including Super Bowl XLV. Hussey’s crew tends to call fewer penalties than other officiating crews, though is far more willing to penalize a home team. As the article states, "Hussey’s crew called 53 percent of its penalties against home teams in 2025. The average sits at 49 percent, per Pro Football Reference." Despite this, home teams won roughly 63 percent of the games officiated by Hussey’s crew this season, which could bode well for the Seahawks.
The Assignment of Shawn Smith and Shawn Hochuli
The Texans at Patriots game, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, will be refereed by Shawn Smith, while the Rams at Bears game, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, will be refereed by Shawn Hochuli. Smith has been an NFL official for 11 seasons and has been a referee for eight years, while Hochuli has similar experience, with 12 seasons as an official and eight as a referee. Both Smith and Hochuli have been assigned to multiple postseason games, with Smith set to oversee his 10th NFL postseason assignment and Hochuli set to oversee his 10th as well. As the article notes, "Smith’s crew called fewer penalties on the home team this season, which resulted in an 80 percent winning percentage for home teams in games in which Smith was the referee in 2025." On the other hand, Hochuli’s crew tends to call more penalties than normal, coming in around roughly two additional penalties per game in 2025. These assignments could have a significant impact on the outcome of the games, as the referees’ styles and tendencies can affect the teams’ strategies and performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the NFL’s assignment of referees to the divisional round games is a crucial aspect of the playoff system. The league has assigned its best officials to the biggest games of the year, including Carl Cheffers, John Hussey, Shawn Smith, and Shawn Hochuli. Each referee has a unique style and tendency when it comes to calling penalties, which could impact the outcome of the games. As the article states, "the league typically makes sure its best officials are assigned to the biggest games of the year." With the games mattering more, the NFL’s assignment of referees is more important than ever, and fans will be watching closely to see how the referees perform in the divisional round.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/nfl-ref-assignments-which-officiating-crews-will-get-the-call-for-divisional-playoff-round-160835251.html