Torbert, Cheffers, Martin, and Hochuli are Divisional Playoff referees

Football Zebras has confirmed the referees for the Divisional Playoffs. Officials are listed with their uniform number, years of NFL experience (including this season), the crew each official worked with in the regular season (by the referee’s name), college, and outside occupation.

All times are Eastern.

This year, the NFL has moved to five alternates for the early postseason rounds, up one from previous years. 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.

The prior playoff experience that is listed for the crew chief includes his service as an NFL official, including as referee and any other crew position (excluding alternate assignments). Also of note, the eventual Super Bowl officials are on the field for this weekend’s games, but not all are from the same crew.

We saw alternates take the field in the Wild Card Playoff round, so as always, scheduled assignments are subject to change due to the pandemic.

Saturday, Jan. 16

NFC Divisional: Rams at Packers, 4:35 p.m. Fox

Ron Torbert is the referee, who is in his 11th season and 7th as referee. This is Torbert’s 8th postseason assignment, including 3 Wild Card Playoffs and 5 Divisional Playoffs.

• Replay official: Saleem Choudhry
• Replay assistant: Dexter McNabb
• Alternates:
  • Referee: Scott Novak
  • Umpire: Bryan Neale
  • Line of scrimmage: Danny Short (DJ)
  • Deep wing: Terry Brown (FJ)
  • Back judge: Tony Josselyn

AFC Divisional: Ravens at Bills, 8:15 p.m. NBC

Carl Cheffers is the referee, who is in his 21st season and 13th as referee. This is Cheffers’ 14th postseason assignment, including 5 Wild Card Playoffs, 6 Divisional Playoffs, 2 Conference Championships, and Super Bowl LI.

• Replay official: Mike Wimmer
• Replay assistant: Brian Uhrmacher
• Alternates:
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • Umpire: Paul King
  • Line of scrimmage: Patrick Holt (DJ)
  • Deep wing: Scott Edwards (SJ)
  • Back judge: Rich Martinez

Sunday, Jan. 17

AFC Divisional: Browns at Chiefs, 3:05 p.m. CBS

Clay Martin is the referee, who is in his 6th season and 3rd as referee. This is Martin’s 2nd postseason assignment, and his first as referee. His first assignment, a Wild Card Playoff, was as an umpire.

• Replay official: Matt Sumstine
• Replay assistant: Chris Scott
• Alternates:
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • Umpire: Dan Ferrell
  • Line of scrimmage: Mark Perlman (LJ)
  • Deep wing: Boris Cheek (SJ)
  • Back judge: Terrence Miles

NFC Divisional: Buccaneers at Saints, 6:40 p.m. Fox

Shawn Hochuli is the referee, who is in his 7th season and 3nd as referee. This is Hochuli’s 5th postseason assignment, including a Wild Card Playoff and 4 Divisional Playoffs.

• Replay official: Roddy Ames
• Replay assistant: Alton James
• Alternates:
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • Umpire: Bruce Stritesky
  • Line of scrimmage: Mark Stewart (LJ)
  • Deep wing: Rick Patterson (FJ)
  • Back judge: Greg Wilson