What a weekend of NFL football! I’ve been watching the NFL since 1978, and it was the best playoff weekend I can remember, with some of the most exciting games in NFL history.
Here are five official observations from the weekend.
1. No picky mistakes
I don’t recall a penalty flag this weekend where I thought it was a phantom foul or an official was too technical and picky. If the crew saw a point of attack or other infraction that gave them an unfair advantage, they reported it.
Granted, playoff teams play more disciplined and cleaner football, so there should be fewer fouls. But still, good for crews to call what needed to be called, and only what needed to be.
2. Hochuli didn’t have it
Referee Shawn Hochuli and his team couldn’t stand any taunts or arguments. They set the tone early, then sent a message that they would report a player or manager, regardless of status.
Tom Brady fans won’t agree, but the blow that drew blood did not brutalize the ferryman. Brady has been arguing with officials for 22 years. But, according to Hochuli, Brady went into his personal space and “used abusive language.”
It’s one thing to report Brady for unsportsmanlike conduct in a random game in Week 5; it’s another to score him in the playoffs in front of his home crowd. Good for Hochuli to keep the same standards and not let sportsmanship slip as it’s the playoffs.
3. Rescue the crew
In the Bengals-Titans game, side judge Don Willard stopped play and rechecked the time on the game clock with referee Clete Blakeman. The clock was correct.
While you could say Willard stopped play unnecessarily, that’s what the NFL wants its officials to do. If a referee senses something is wrong, they want them to stop the game. It doesn’t matter if he’s a rookie in his first game or a 30-year-old veteran. Save the crew and make the call correctly.
Incidentally, Willard received kudos from us in Week 8 for saving his regular season crew.
4. Substitutes earn their salary
Substitute officials in the modern playoffs do not watch and wait for an official to pull a hamstring. Previously, only one or two substitutes were assigned to a playoff game. There are now five or seven substitutes assigned to each playoff game.
Today, substitutes have several functions. They keep the balls safe and act as liaisons between the field officials and the touchline. The substitutes remain close to the technical staff and relay the information.
We saw substitute Shawn Smith help Rams coach Sean McVay through his penalty enforcement options.
Alternates may not impose penalties or make calls for on-field officials. But, in the intensity of the playoffs, they are an essential part of the third team.
5. Great Achievements
Linesman Mark Perlman made the playoffs for the 19th straight season. Judge Down Kent Payne worked in the playoffs in his 17th straight season. Payne worked a playoff game in the field each year he was eligible. You have to go back to Jerry Markbreit, Tom Kelleher and Al Conway to find this type of footage. Conway has been assigned a playoff game for 23 consecutive years. Kelleher got a playoff game for 21 consecutive games. Jerry Markbreit has had a playoff game for 20 straight years. Perlman and Payne are in a rare tune.
Super Bowl officials typically work the divisional playoff round. If the quality of this weekend’s officials is any indication, the Super Bowl will be in good hands.
