There are just two games to go between now and the Super Bowl to decide which teams will have a chance to win the title of best team in the NFL for the 2023-24 season.
As with all big games like this, there has been a lot of talk surrounding officiating and how it could affect things. Shawn Smith has been named the head referee of the AFC championship matchup between the Chiefs and the Ravens, which has caused some chatter because of his penchant for favoring road teams, but the majority of the talk has been surrounding Clete Blakeman.
Blakeman has a controversial history with the Lions and will lead the NFC championship officiating crew. That's something that has several Detroit fans a bit unhappy, as he was involved in a controversial -- but ultimately correct -- call in a 2019 Lions loss against the Packers.
Here's what to know about these two officiating crews:
NFC championship referees 2024
Referee Clete Blakeman will lead the officiating crew for Lions vs. 49ers on Sunday:
| Position | Official |
|---|---|
| Referee | Clete Blakeman |
| Umpire | Barry Anderson |
| Down Judge | Dana McKenzie |
| Line Judge | Rusty Baynes |
| Field Judge | Anthony Flemming |
| Side Judge | Chad Hill |
| Back Judge | Grantis Bell |
AFC championship referees 2024
The Ravens vs. Chiefs crew will be led by Shawn Smith. Here is the full list of officials for Chiefs vs. Ravens on Sunday:
| Position | Official |
|---|---|
| Referee | Shawn Smith |
| Umpire | Roy Ellison |
| Down Judge | Jerod Phillips |
| Line Judge | Jeff Seeman |
| Field Judge | Nate Jones |
| Side Judge | Anthony Jeffries |
| Back Judge | Dino Paganelli |
| Replay Official | Mike Wimmer |
| Replay Assistant | Sebrina Brunson |
NFL officials on-field responsibilities
There are multiple different types of officials with different responsibilities when it comes to game day, and it can be confusing as to what those are by individual.
Below is the description of what each on-field official handles, via NFL Operations:
Referee
Lining up 10-12 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the offensive backfield, the referee is the white-hat wearing leader of the crew who signals all penalties and is the final authority on all rulings. Below are the referee's assignments on run plays, pass plays, and special-teams plays.
- Run plays: Watches snap; follows QB until action moves downfield; then follows runner to determine forward progress and position of the ball; determines first downs or if a measurement is necessary.
- Pass plays: Shadows QB from drop to release; drops back as the play starts and monitors offensive tackles; turns attention solely to QB as defense approaches; watches for roughing the passer; rules on intentional grounding; makes the decision whether a loose ball is a fumble or incomplete pass.
- Special teams: Watches for running into/roughing the kicker.
Umpire
Lining up next to the referee 10-12 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the offensive backfield, the umpire primarily watches for holding and blocking fouls. He or she also reviews player equipment, counts offensive players on the field, and marks off penalty yardage. Below are the umpire's assignments on run plays, pass plays, and special-teams plays.
- Run plays: Watches for false starts on offensive line; watches for illegal blocks by the offense or any defensive fouls at the line of scrimmage.
- Pass plays: Watches for false stars on offensive line; on screens, turns attention to intended receiver to make sure he is able to run his route; watches for blocking penalties.
- Special teams: Watches for any penalties.
Down judge
Lining up on the sideline and looking directly down the line of scrimmage, the down judge directs the chain crew, informs the ref of the down, and rules on sideline plays on the nearest half of the field. Below are the down judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays, and special-teams plays.
- Run plays: Watches for offside or encroachment; monitors sideline; determines when/if a runner is out of bounds; marks runner's forward progress.
- Pass plays: Watches nearest receiver for first seven yards of his route until he is clear the point of legal contact for defensive backs; watches for pass interference.
- Special teams: Watches for offside and encroachment; rules on penalties involving blockers and defenders on trick plays.
Line judge
Lining up on the sideline opposite the down judge and looking directly down the line of scrimmage, the line judge has similar duties without the chain crew direction. Below are the line judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays, and special-teams plays.
- Run plays: Watches for offside and encroachment; watches blockers and defenders on nearest side for penalties.
- Pass plays: Watches for offside and encroachment on nearest side of field; follows nearest receiver for seven yards downfield; moves into offensive backfield to determine if pass is forwards or backwards; makes sure passer is behind the line of scrimmage when he throws the ball.
- Special teams: Stays at line of scrimmage on punts to make sure only players on the ends of the line move downfield before the kick; rules on whether the kick crosses the line of scrimmage; watches kicking team for penalties.
Field judge
Lining up on the same sideline as the line judge but 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield, the field judge counts defensive players and watches wide receivers/defensive backs on the nearest side of the field. Below are the field judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays, and special-teams plays.
- Run plays: Watches widest receiver's blocking and looks for illegal use of hands or holding; determines if/when a runner on nearest side of the field goes out of bounds.
- Pass plays: Watches widest receiver on nearest side of the field and makes sure he is able to run his route without interference; rules on whether a pass to nearest side of the field is incomplete; rules on whether a receiver is in or out of bounds when he makes a catch; watches for pass interference.
- Special teams: Rules on blocking during punts; lines up under goal posts to rule on whether field goals and extra points are good.
Side judge
Lining up on the same sideline as the down judge but 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield, the side judge backs up the clock operator, signals to the ref when time expires for each quarter and counts defensive players. Below are the side judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays, and special-teams plays.
- Run plays: Watches widest receiver's blocking and looks for illegal use of hands or holding; determines if/when a runner on nearest side of the field goes out of bounds.
- Pass plays: Watches widest receiver on nearest side of the field and makes sure he is able to run his route without interference; rules on whether a pass to nearest side of the field is incomplete; rules on whether a receiver is in or out of bounds when he makes a catch; watches for pass interference.
- Special teams: Watches punt returner and any action around him; joins umpire in defensive backfield on field goal and PAT attempts; watches for penalties along the line of scrimmage.
Back judge
Usually lining up on the tight end's side, the back judge is positioned 25 yards behind the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield. The back judge keeps track of the play clock and all TV breaks, counts defensive players, and focuses on tight ends and all the players on the end of the lines. Below are the back judge's assignments on run plays, pass plays, and special-teams plays.
- Run plays: Watches tight end for illegal blocking or defensive penalties.
- Pass plays: Watches tight end for illegal use of hands or defensive interference; rules on whether a receiver made a legal catch; determines who recovered a fumble.
- Special teams: Rules on fair catches; lines up under goal posts to rule on whether field goals and extra points are good.