Here are the playoff scenarios for Week 15. After the divisional games next weekend, no regular-season crews do games as a group the rest of the year. The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a Super Bowl title in February thanks to a dazzling performance by Patrick Mahomes, who won both league MVP and Super . Alex Kemp is the referee, who is in his 8th season and 4th as referee. All times are Eastern. Michael VanderVelde is the XFL Championship referee, New angle shows jersey tug on crucial holding call in Super Bowl LVII, Super Bowl LVII liveblog: Chiefs vs. Eagles, Concentration is key for the most viewed coin toss of the year, In addition to pass interference, replay is undergoing a configuration change, Mob rule: USFL and XFL revise touchback rule on fumbles to give the ball back to the offense, Rules school: What replay assist can and cant do, After review, a reversal. Void in ONT. The Rams received an injection of energy last week with the arrival of Baker Mayfield, but their slim playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Therefore, only the top seed in each conference will receive a first-round bye. Gambling Problem? Since, well, someone has to win that division, they are technically alive. The Football Zebras staff has the white hats, and FredFan7 has his Super Bowl kiss-of-death prediction. Presumably, the highest-rated official at each position worked the Super Bowl. Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA (select parishes)/MA/MD/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OH/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Under the parameters, the Giants will not be eligible for Hard Knocks in 2024 either, thanks to their appearance in the 2022 playoffs. Oops. Ed has orfficiated two Superbowls XXXII 32 and XXXVIII 38. They can also clinch a spot in the postseason with a tie and either: A Chargers loss; a Jets loss coupled with a Patriots loss; or, a Chargers tie, a Patriots tie, and a Jets loss. A loss to the Denver Broncos would eliminate them from the playoffs. Enough said. Free 14 Day Trial! Thanks to last weeks win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which made yet more history for rookie quarterback Brock Purdy San Francisco is on the cusp of the postseason. I didnt state that correctly. On the other hand, I also predicted that Vinovichs 4-year streak of top-tier (Conference Championship or Super Bowl) assignments and 7 in the previous 8 years would come to an end. Football Zebras will be updating this post as information is reported on the status of individual agenda items. For the wild card round, I have Brad Rogers and Land Clark getting their first playoff assignments at the white hat. Live coverage of the calls and rules interpretations of todays Super Bowl from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Ron Torbert is the referee. But a loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, coupled with either a win or a tie from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who play the Cincinnati Bengals) would eliminate New Orleans. A Seahawks win Thursday night, coupled with either the Giants or the Commanders winning their game Sunday night, eliminates the Rams before their game Monday night. The eight highest-rated crews are assigned to the wild card and divisional playoffs, but substitutions are made in three instances: 1) rookie officials; 2) officials who are rated third- or second-best at their position; 3) poorly-rated officials. Blakeman, Torbert, Hochuli, and Hussey are Divisional Playoff referees John Hussey I have followed the assignment of referees to the playoffs since 1985 and all officials since 2002. Copyright 2023 Equity Creative Group, LLC, Our playoff predictions: Hochuli, Smith, and Vinovich grade high, Our playoff predictions: Corrente, Hussey, and Torbert top our rankings, Our playoff predictions: Cheffers, Hussey, and Torbert grade high, Our playoff predictions: Coleman, Vinovich, and Wrolstad top our rankings, Our playoff predictions: Hochuli, Torbert, and Vinovich rank high. The NFL is denying the Football Zebras.com report that the playoff assignments for the officials have already been decided. The Minnesota Vikings had a chance to lock up the NFC North with a win last week, but their loss to the Lions put those plans on hold. Scott Novak has been a bright beacon in the fog of 2022, and has emerged as a calm and controlled game manager. Last year, for example, four of the seven Super Bowl officials worked in the earlier rounds and three did not. For example, John Parry has been a referee for 2 seasons and he has easily worked more nationally-televised games than any other referee. Starting this season, there is one additional Wild Card Playoff game per conference. Jann, If the Rams were to tie the Packers Monday night, they could still be eliminated. By the way,,,, Ed Hochuli has been a Great Referee for many years & for others who think he is not deserving. The Jets are one of four teams eligible as per the criteria set by the NFL for participation in the series, which is as follows: The selection for this year's participants came down to the Jets, Saints, Bears, and Commanders. June 27: Tiki Barber Expanding Broadcast Career. The NFL assigns its Super Bowl officiating. NFL playoff and elimination scenarios for Week 15, LIV Golfs stunning relegation reveal points to existence into future despite PGA Tour deal. Bryan Banks and Derek Anderson are the USFL playoff referees footballzebras.com. Here are the playoff scenarios for Week 15. Well see if that holds this year. Commentary Wild Card Predictions Barber is no stranger to breaking down games for television, having done so in the past, as has his twin brother Ronde, a former cornerback for the Bucs who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 5. He is a great official and I think the media and he Chargers helped make the call seem a whole lot worse than it was. None of these officials have worked in the previous two rounds. Furthermore, a tie with Denver could still see the Cardinals eliminated in two ways. Ben finished with 28 points and Mark finished with 23 points. The Jets, meanwhile, are said to be reluctant to participate. Football Zebras exclusive. Especially in the last few years as the NFL seems to pull a surprise with an official assigned higher that we predicted or not assigned to the field at all. How? It is a shame that some will not work a playoff game. If the Seahawks and Commanders lose, then Dallas is in. Embed from Getty Images. Moments before the 3 of us separately finalized our lists and presented them to each other, I made a late swap and locked in this choice for this years top white hat. Postseason Predictions, Grades Looking ahead, there is a path for the Vikings to reach the postseason even if they lose out to finish 10-7. 2023 NFL season: Which NFL fan base most deserves a Super - NFL.com Cam Filipe is a forensic scientist from Massachusetts and has been involved in football officiating for 11 years. His. For the last three games the AFC and NFC Championship and the Super Bowl all-star crews take over. He is in his 8th season after being hired directly to the referee positionfrom the ACC in 2014. Here is how the Las Vegas Raiders can be eliminated this weekend. Jacksonville went 4-12 in their first season and then made the playoffs the next . NFL won't allow a holder to elevate a teed kickoff ball, Rules review video: getting away with feigning injury, late subs, and receivers out of bounds, Rules review video: unusual fair-catch situation, new low-block rule, and a fumble into the pylon. Brad Allen has been a solid "home field advantage" referee. Assignments - Football Zebras Do that, and the 49ers clinch the division. If the Cowboys can only tie the Jaguars on Sunday, they can still clinch a playoff spot. Our annual tradition now in its eleventh season is to predict which referees are assigned to the postseason. Sign up for the Chiefs Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. High School. The USFL postseason is underway with a two-game playoff to determine the teams that will play for the 2023 USFL championship. Here are the kickoff times and dates for the NFL 202021 postseason games. Follow-up, 2020 Conference Championships Our annual tradition to predict which referees are assigned to the postseason. In the divisional round I predict John Hussey, Alex Kemp, Shawn Hochuli and Bill Vinovich. Officiating Corner. NFL. Barber is the Giants' franchise rushing yardage leader with 10,449 yards on 2,217 carries. Commentary Carl Cheffers, John Hussey, and Ron Torbert are all upper-tier caliber officials, but I feel theyll hover in the earlier rounds this season. There are three ways the Steelers can be eliminated this weekend. His style gravitates to "let 'em play" although he had one outlier season where he led NFL in penalties. Carl Cheffers 5 Pick Makes Sense, According To NFL Exec, New Camera Angle Should Save Davante Adams From Any Punishment After Shoving Cameraman On MNF (VIDEO), BREAKING: Former Denver Broncos Running Back Tragically Found Dead, Evidence From Joe Buck And ESPN Seems To Imply That The NFL Did In Fact Tell Players To Warm Up And Continue Playing, NFL Fans Calling For RG3 To Be Fired After Using Offensive Term During Monday Night Football (VIDEO + TWEETS), NFL Fans Are Praying For Patrick Mahomes Following Heartbreaking Announcement, RUMOR: Tennessee Titans Send Star RB Derrick Henry To AFC Powerhouse In Monster Trade Proposal. His crew throws the fourth most flags on average. I dont know how the Pro Bowl officials are selected, but none of them have worked any other postseason games. In addition to the Super Bowls in 1997 and 2003, he officiated five conference championships (1995, 1998, 2001, 2002, and 2005), which means that he was one of the three highest-rated referees in seven different years. 2021 - Football Zebras The Super Bowl referee works the divisional round. Some have worked in the wild card or divisional playoffs, but not all of them. While Kansas City got the victory over the Denver Broncos they needed, the Chargers win over the Dolphins at least kept Los Angeless slim division title hopes alive. Connect with us via text alerts! We are covering the NFC Conference Championship Game from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., between the 49ers and Rams. 2020 Postseason There are so many good referees. Brad Allen NFL won't allow a holder to elevate a teed kickoff ball, Rules review video: getting away with feigning injury, late subs, and receivers out of bounds, Rules review video: unusual fair-catch situation, new low-block rule, and a fumble into the pylon, 2020 Conference Championships The six referees for Wild Card Weekend have been announced. Football Zebras has confirmed the officiating crews for the Wild Card Playoffs. Saint Augustine, Florida. At the end of the season, every official gets an individual grade. But we cannot put forth a slate of just alternates. Commentary The alternate officials are a referee, an umpire, a line of scrimmage official (down judge or line judge), a deep wing official (field judge or side judge), and a back judge. But Im sure Simms is right. Follow-up, 2020 Conference Championships Theyre graded on accuracy of calls made, graded down on calls missed, judged as crews on the flow and pace of a game, and graded on proper positioning and general professionalism. While they still have a shot at making the playoffs, they have no margin for error. Cam is in his third season as a high school football official. Last year, Cam was the champion with 45 points. When discussing football officiating, it is easy to say, Forget so-and-so for the playoff this year after that blown call. While fans might wish a playoff We are already at Week 7 of the NFL season and many teams now know if they are contenders or pretenders for the Super Bowl crown. Although I made my selections prior to Week 17, his handling of the grave situation around Damar Hamlin was exceptional. This is Allens 4th postseason assignment, including 3 Wild Card Playoffs and a Divisional Playoff. Here are the kickoff times and dates for the NFL 202021 postseason games. First, a loss to the Patriots coupled with a Dolphins win or tie on Saturday night, and the Raiders are out. As for Hochuli he did not have a playoff game in 2006. According to the New York Post, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber is taking his broadcasting career to the next level starting this fall. Still, with their four-game lead in the division, they remain on the cusp of clinching the division. NFL Referee Assignments Divisional Round: Refs Assigned for Each Shawn Smith and Brad Allen both have had exceptional seasons and I think they will work the semi-final round. Not to say there are officials not deserving, but the question of who ascends and descends is much harder to decrypt. The Cardinals received some bad news on Monday night when starting quarterback Kyler Murray was lost with a knee injury. A win over Jacksonville on Sunday. by Ben Austro - March 28, 2022 0. A Seahawks win on Thursday night, coupled with either the Commanders or Giants winning their game on Sunday night, eliminates the Cardinals. The Pittsburgh Maulers are hosting the Michigan Panthers at their putative home field in Canton, Ohio. Postseason Predictions. The page you requested does not exist or has moved. - NFL Refs Note: The following is a guest post from Football-Refs reader Barry ---------- I have followed the assignment of referees to the playoffs since 1985 and all officials since 2002. Jerome Boger is the referee, who is in his 18th season and 16th as referee. The Jets host the Detroit Lions on Sunday, while the Patriots take on the Las Vegas Raiders. Postseason Predictions, 2018 postseason (Four wild-card games, four divisional games.) As we find every year, there tends to be a razor-thin line at the playoff cut, so an omission on this list does not necessarily mean we thought the referee was not worthy of a playoff assignment. Thanks for sharing Peter Kings article, KMG 365. He has worked a Divisional Playoff in every year eligible since his promotion to referee, and I think this is the year he elevates. None of them worked in the conference championships, and Pereira said that this would be the case this year as well. According to the New York Post, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber is taking his broadcasting career to the next level starting this fall. Our playoff predictions: Corrente, Hussey, and Torbert top our rankings. In 16 games during the 2022 regular season, Hochulis crew threw 191 total flags, good for the ninth-most in the league. So get your predictions in now. First, if they tie the Texans, then a loss from both the New York Jets and the New England Patriots would guarantee the Chiefs a playoff berth. F Zs (@footballzebras) / Twitter Re the postseason assignments: The league separates the first two weekends of the playoffs and the last two weekends. These are the teams who are in the running for D-Hop right now. The NFL is denying the Football Zebras.com report that the playoff assignments for the officials have already been decided. Jan. 2021 Playoff Prediction thread. With the win, the Eagles are guaranteed of at least a playoff berth, but their hopes of clinching the NFC East might need to wait a few more weeks. View Patricia's full bio. This is a very hard year to predict. Schedule for the 2020 NFL playoffs. No official can work the Super Bowl two years in a row. These three referees are solid, they get the job done, and Im always sure that any game they work will be handled above average. Ron Torbert Clete Blakeman Ive been very impressed with his work recently, and I think the league has noticed that, as well. I see that, but these choices just seem right. Michael VanderVelde is the XFL Championship referee, New angle shows jersey tug on crucial holding call in Super Bowl LVII, Super Bowl LVII liveblog: Chiefs vs. Eagles, Concentration is key for the most viewed coin toss of the year, In addition to pass interference, replay is undergoing a configuration change, Mob rule: USFL and XFL revise touchback rule on fumbles to give the ball back to the offense, Rules school: What replay assist can and cant do, After review, a reversal. Hussey and Torbert are probably my two favorite white hats currently (no one will replace Pete Morelli, but I digress), and even still, Im slotting them in the first round. The Eagles punched their ticket to the postseason with Sundays victory over the New York Giants.