The NFL referees can make or break the game, and it is only natural that curiosities are piqued as the teams head for the Conference Championships.
The NFL has unveiled its officiating crews for the 2024-25 Divisional Round of the playoffs. The referees assigned will bring a mix of experience and fresh faces to the postseason stage.
NFL Divisional Round Weekend Referee Assignments
Each officiating team will bring on a mix of on-field officials and alternates to create a robust system to handle the high-stakes atmosphere of the playoffs. Alternate officials remain eligible for assignments in the Conference Championships. However, they are ineligible for on-field Super Bowl roles unless they serve as alternates.
The Divisional Round games are spread over two days, starting Saturday afternoon in Kansas City. They will culminate on Sunday evening in Buffalo.
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET)
- Clay Martin (referee)
- Scott Campbell (umpire)
- Kent Payne (down judge)
- Walter Flowers (line judge)
- Jason Ledet (field judge)
- James Coleman (side judge)
- Greg Yette (back judge)
- Matt Sumstine (replay official)
- Tim England (replay assistant)
This is Martin’s sixth postseason assignment. He has presided over four Wild Card playoff games and two Divisional Round games.
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions (Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET)
- Ron Torbert (referee)
- Duane Heydt (umpire)
- Max Causey (down judge)
- Tim Podraza (line judge)
- Mearl Robinson (field judge)
- Boris Cheek (side judge)
- Jonah Monroe (back judge)
- Kevin Brown (replay official)
- Durwood Manley (replay assistant)
This is Torbert’s 13th postseason game. He has done four Wild Card Playoff games, seven Divisional Round games, one Conference Championship, and Super Bowl LVI.
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 3:00 p.m. ET)
- Shawn Smith (referee)
- Bryan Neale (umpire)
- Jay Bilbo (down judge)
- Mark Stewart (line judge)
- Dave Hawkshaw (field judge)
- Alonzo Ramsey (side judge)
- Dino Pagnanelli (back judge)
- Tyler Cerimeli (replay official)
- Brian Davies (replay assistant)
This is Smith’s ninth postseason game. He has presided over five Wild Card Playoff games, two Divisional Round games, and two Conference Championships.
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET)
- Carl Cheffers (referee)
- Brandon Cruse (umpire)
- Mike Carr (down judge)
- Greg Bradley (line judge)
- Joe Blubaugh (field judge)
- Nate Jones (side judge)
- Martin Hankins (back judge)
- Chad Adams (replay official)
- Ken Hall (replay assistant)
Cheffers is in his 25th season and 17th as a referee. This is his 20th postseason assignment, including six Wild Card Playoff games, eight Divisional Round games, three Conference Championships, and Super Bowls LI, LV, and LVII. All three of his Super Bowl assignments were as referee.
