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On Tuesday, the NFL announced that Shawn Smith will officiate the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. That decision isn’t sitting well with fans who want to see a well-officiated game.
NFL analyst Warren Sharp pointed out that road teams win at the highest rate when Smith is the main official.
Over the last three years, home teams have won 55.9 percent of games when other referees are in charge. When Smith’s crew is working, home teams win just 40.8 percent of games.
“They have a ref in their rotation who is a MASSIVE edge to road teams,” Sharp said. “Road teams win at the #1 highest rate with him… He penalizes home teams in ways no other ref does… and… He’s calling the Chiefs road game.”
it was a fascinating decision to put Shawn Smith on the Chiefs game
the last 3 years:
with other refs, home teams win 55.9%
but with Smith, home win rates drop to 40.8%
with other refs, home teams cover the spread 50.1%
but with Smith, home cover rates drop to 37.0%
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 23, 2024
This could just be a huge coincidence, but it’s hard to ignore the statistics that Sharp shared this Tuesday.
As of now, the Ravens are 3.5-point favorites against the Chiefs. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on CBS.