After an interesting Super Wild Card Weekend in the NFL, we are days away from the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. There are only seven games left in the NFL season. We have four referees assigned for the games this weekend. Let me dive right into it!
I want to point out that the more experienced referees will be officiating this weekend and I assume for the conference title games next weekend.
| Referee | Assignment | Game Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Ron Torbert | Los Angeles Rams @ Green Bay Packers | Saturday, 4:35pm EST |
| Carl Cheffers | Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills | Saturday, 8:15pm EST |
| Clay Martin | Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs | Sunday, 3:05pm EST |
| Shawn Hochuli | Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints | Sunday, 6:40pm EST |
Ron Torbert
Ron Torbert is one of the few referees who officiated all 16 regular-season games. The stats for Torbert are not subpar. As a matter of fact, home teams were 11-5 straight up in the games he officiated. Furthermore, favorites are 10-6 against the spread in Torbert’s games this season.
In addition, Torbert is one of the best referees to the Under. Torbert finished the season with a 12-4 record the under with an average total of 40 points per game. Lastly, Torbert is assigned to the matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Green Bay Packers this Saturday.
Carl Cheffers
Carl Cheffers officiated 15 games this season. Road teams performed well in the games officiated by Cheffers. In fact, road teams finished with a 9-6 record straight up. However, the most interesting stat for Cheffers is that home teams were 10-5 against the spread. Furthermore, road teams won six out of the last seven games officiated by Cheffers.
Like Torbert, Carl Cheffers is a referee who has a stellar record to the Under. In his 15 games this season, the Under is 10-5 with an average total of 46.5 points per game. Cheffers is assigned to the much-anticipated matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills. Lastly, Cheffers officiated two games involving the Buffalo Bills. As a result, the Bills went 1-1 straight up and 0-2 against the spread.
| Referee | Home Team ML | Road Team ML | ATS Favorites | ATS Underdogs | Home ATS | Road ATS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron Torbert | 11-5 | 5-11 | 10-6 | 6-10 | 9-7 | 7-9 |
| Carl Cheffers | 6-9 | 9-6 | 4-11 | 11-4 | 10-5 | 5-10 |
| Clay Martin | 5-7 | 7-5 | 5-7 | 7-5 | 2-10 | 10-2 |
| Shawn Hochuli | 5-9 | 9-5 | 5-9 | 9-5 | 7-7 | 7-7 |
| Referee | O/U Record | Average Total |
|---|---|---|
| Ron Torbert | 4-11 | 38.92 |
| Carl Cheffers | 5-10 | 46.46 |
| Clay Martin | 10-2 | 56.17 |
| Shawn Hochuli | 6-7-1 | 51.14 |
Clay Martin
Clay Martin was one of the referees I highlighted the most this season. Martin only officiated 12 games this season, but the stats are eye-popping for him. As a matter of fact, road teams have a 10-2 record against the spread in games officiated by Martin. However, road teams were only 7-5 straight up.
Furthermore, Martin finished with a 10-2 record to the Over averaging 56 points per game. In addition, Martin will officiate the matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the #1 seed in the AFC, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Lastly, Martin officiated two games involving the Chiefs. In Week 9 the Chiefs beat the Panthers 33-31 and in Week 13 the Chiefs defeated the Dolphins 33-27. Also, Martin officiated the Week 4 matchup between the Browns and the Cowboys. The Browns went on to win the game 49-38.
Shawn Hochuli
Shawn Hochuli officiated 14 games this season. Road teams performed well in the games he officiated. In fact, road teams were 9-5 straight up. Furthermore, underdogs also finished 9-5 against the spread. In addition, both the home and road teams finished exactly 7-7 against the spread.
In the 14 games officiated by Hochuli, the total is close to even. The Under finished slightly better with a 7-6-1 record. However, the average total in these games was 51 points per game. Furthermore, Hochuli is assigned to the NFC South showdown between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints.
Lastly, both the Bucs and Saints each played in one game officiated by Hochuli. Saints lost the Week 2 matchup against the Raiders 34-24 and the Bucs lost the Week 12 matchup against the Chiefs 27-24. However, Bucs did cover the spread in the game and the Saints lost as a four-point favorite.
