The NFL has officially unveiled the officiating crews that will oversee the games in the 2026 Divisional Round playoffs. This announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of officiating standards throughout the 2025-26 season, with many fans voicing concerns about the impact of refereeing on game outcomes. As the stakes rise in the playoffs, ensuring accuracy in officiating becomes increasingly critical.
This year”s Divisional Round features four matchups, with each game assigned a unique officiating crew. Notably, none of these crews participated in the previous Wild Card round, emphasizing a fresh approach for the crucial playoff games ahead.
Referee Assignments for Each Game
In the matchup between the Bills and the Broncos, the officiating crew will be led by Carl Cheffers, serving as the Referee and Crew Chief. The complete crew for this game includes:
- Umpire: Mark Pellis
- Down Judge: Jerod Phillips
- Line Judge: Rusty Baynes
- Field Judge: Jabir Walker
- Side Judge: Allen Baynes
- Back Judge: Scott Helverson
In the contest between the 49ers and the Seahawks, John Hussey will act as the Referee and Crew Chief. His crew comprises:
- Umpire: Roy Ellison
- Down Judge: Danny Short
- Line Judge: Tim Podraza
- Field Judge: Nate Jones
- Side Judge: Boris Cheek
- Back Judge: Martin Hankins
The game featuring the Texans and the Patriots will be overseen by Shawn Smith as the Referee and Crew Chief. His officiating crew includes:
- Umpire: Scott Walker
- Down Judge: Dana McKenzie
- Line Judge: Julian Mapp
- Field Judge: Jason Ledet
- Side Judge: Eugene Hall
- Back Judge: Grantis Bell
Lastly, in the game between the Rams and the Bears, Shawn Hochuli will serve as the Referee and Crew Chief, with the following crew members:
- Umpire: Bryan Neale
- Down Judge: Patrick Holt
- Line Judge: Brian Perry
- Field Judge: Anthony Flemming
- Side Judge: Chad Hill
- Back Judge: Greg Steed
Responsibilities of NFL Officials
Each official on the field has specific responsibilities. The Referee, typically positioned 10-12 yards deep in the offensive backfield, is the final authority on all rulings. This official wears the distinctive white hat and focuses on the quarterback, monitoring for roughing the passer and intentional grounding.
The Umpire also stands 10-12 yards deep in the backfield, concentrating on the interior linemen to enforce rules regarding offensive holding and illegal blocks, while ensuring compliance with player equipment regulations.
On the sidelines, the Down Judge and Line Judge work opposite each other, managing offside calls and forward progress, with the Down Judge also directing the chain crew. Meanwhile, the Field Judge and Side Judge are positioned deeper in the secondary, tracking pass interference and illegal contact.
Finally, the Back Judge, standing the deepest, is tasked with monitoring the play clocks and ensuring compliance with rules in the end zone area.
As the playoffs approach, the performance of these officiating crews will be under close scrutiny, with their calls potentially impacting the outcome of crucial playoff games.
