We are onto the NFL Divisional Round for the playoffs. Last week, we had a few profitable trends as Alex Kemp continued his strong trend for road teams. The 49ers beat the Cowboys on the road last week. Additionally, the Bills took care of business at home in a game where Brad Allen, a official trendy for home teams won in big fashion. Lastly, another game Clay Martin game went under the total bringing his record to 12-5.
This week we have four officials on assignment for the NFL Divisional Round. Let me dive right into the report!
2022 NFL Divisional Round Referee Assignments
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans (-3.5) | Total: 47
Referee: Clete Blakeman
Clete Blakeman and crew will officiate the first divisional matchup this weekend between the Bengals and the Titans. This season, Blakeman was another referee who was favorable to the home teams. In fact, home teams were 11-5 against the spread and 10-6 straight up. Furthermore, Blakeman ended the season 8-8 on totals but his average was 48.7.
Blakeman officiated two matchups this season involving the Bengals. First, the Week 3 matchup between the Bengals and the Steelers. The Bengals were a 2.5 point underdog and won the game outright 24-10. Next, Blakeman officiated the Week 16 matchup between the Bengals and the Ravens. The Bengals were a 7.5 home favorite and went on to win the game 41-21 covering the spread and winning outright. Lastly, Blakeman officiated the Week 6 matchup between the Bills and the Titans. The Titans won the game 34-31 as a 5.5 point home underdog.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers (-6) | Total: 47
Referee: Ron Torbert
Ron Torbert is assigned to officiate the NFC Divisional matchup between the 49ers and the Packers. Torbert does not have any spread trends that stand out. Home teams finished 7-9 against the spread and 9-7 straight up. Packers ML and 49ers cover? However, Torbert does have a strong trend on the total. This season, Torbert finished the season 11-5 to the Under with an average total of 43.8. These two teams did matchup in Week 3 in Santa Clara. The Packers won the game 30-28 as a three-point underdog.
Torbert did officiate two games involving the Packers. First, in Week 7 the Packers hosted the Washington Football Team as a 8 point home favorite. The Packers won the game 24-10. In addition, Torbert officiated the Week 14 matchup between the Bears and the Packers. The Packers won the game 45-30 as an 11.5 home favorite. Lastly, Torbert officiated the Week 11 matchup between the 49ers and the Jaguars. The 49ers won the game comfortably 30-10 as a 6.5 point road favorite.
Los Angeles Rams vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) | Total: 48.5
Referee: Shawn Hochuli
If you followed the referee report all season long and saw the name Shawn Hochuli assigned to this game you’d know exactly what to do. Hochuli was the MVP of the season as far as officiating trends. As a matter of fact, road teams are 11-5 against the spread and straight up in games officiated by Hochuli. Furthermore, road underdogs were 9-2 against the spread in his games. These two teams matched up in Week 3 of the regular season in Los Angeles, the Rams won the game 34-24 as a one-point home underdog. Shawn Hochuli was another referee this season who was trendy to the Under. He finished the season 11-5 to the Under with an average total of 43.9.
Hochuli officiated the first game of the regular season between the Buccaneers hosting the Cowboys. The Bucs did win the game outright 31-29 but failed to cover the nine-point spread. Hochuli officiated two of the Rams games this season. First, in Week 4, the Rams hosted division rival Arizona Cardinals. The Rams lost the game 37-20 as a 4 point home favorite. This game was following the Week 3 victory over the defending champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Further, Hochuli officiated the Week 15 matchup between the Rams and Seahawks. The Rams won the game 20-10 as a seven-point favorite.
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-2) Total: 54
Referee: John Hussey
John Hussey will be the referee in possibly the game of the week for this NFL Divisional Round matchup between the Bills and the Chiefs. John Hussey was an official favorable to home teams this season. In fact, home teams were 11-5 against the spread and straight up. Furthermore, home favorites finished the season 8-4 against the spread. Hussey finished 9-7 to the Under with an average total of 45.6. These two teams matched up earlier this season in Week 5 in Kansas City. The Bills won the game 38-20 as a three-point underdog.
Hussey has officiated two games involving both of these teams. First, Hussey officiated the Week 1 Bills’ upset loss to the Steelers 23-16 as a 6.5 point favorite. Next, Hussey also officiated the Week 18 Bills victory over the Jets 27-10 as a 16-point home favorite. Hussey officiated the Week 11 Chiefs victory over the Cowboys, 19-9 as a 2.5 point favorite. Lastly, Hussey officiated the Week 17 matchup between the Chiefs and the Bengals. The Chiefs lost the game 34-31 as a 3.5 point road favorite.
