Two thrilling games paved the way for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans to start their season on opposite sides of the result column. However, both teams will be hoping for a better output from their roster when they clash in a Monday Night Football encounter during Week 2 of the regular season.
While the Texans lost to the Los Angeles Rams heartbreakingly, the Buccaneers only just pulled out a win, despite multiple penalties in the final period going against them. It sparked fan outrage against the referees. Even though it is a common sight on most nights, the NFL will be hoping to minimize the backlash this time around.
But who does the league have as the designated official for their Monday Night tilt?
Who Is the Referee for Week 2 Monday Night Football: Buccaneers vs. Texans?
Going for experience and pedigree, second-generation official Shawn Hochuli, who is the son of legendary referee Ed Hochuli, will be the man calling the action down the middle. With eight years of experience in the role, he is among the most qualified men for the job.
Starting off as a side judge in 2014, he was promoted to the referee designations four years later. However, in recent years, he has been amongst the most divisive figures in the game with a few controversial moments.
The biggest came when he assessed legendary NFL quarterback and the GOAT, Tom Brady, with his first career unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in 2022, during a Divisional Round game.
He once came into the spotlight last season during the NFC Championship Game when he tried to enforce a rare rule that would award the Philadelphia Eagles an automatic touchdown after the Washington Commanders committed multiple encroachment penalties on successive snaps. It led to the game being dead for a while.
Frankie Luvu : 4 tackles, 2 for loss, sack & 2 offsides penalties pic.twitter.com/BIlYfs7D5K
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) January 27, 2025
This year, he is spearheading a crew featuring:
- Umpire: Larry Smith
- Down Judge: Patrick Holt
- Line Judge: Tim Podraza
- Field Judge: Jason Ledet
- Side Judge: Jim Quirk
- Back Judge: Jimmy Russell
- Replay Official: Jamie Nicholson
- Replay Assistant: Adam Choate
Referee Controversy During Buccaneers vs. Falcons
Down 17-13, the Falcons began their drive in an effort to potentially take the lead and secure a win in the season opener. A long, drawn-out possession stretched for over eight minutes before Atlanta finally punched it into the end zone.
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However, the series wasn’t without controversy. Facing a 4th & 2 situation at the 3-yard line, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. tried to scramble to get a first down on his own. At first, he lost the ball through the back of the end zone after stretching out, although officials claimed he was down short of the line to gain.
However, after review, the referees overturned the call and said that not only did Penix get the first down, but he landed out of bounds, and the ensuing fumble did not happen. This paved the way for Atlanta to score on the possession.
Buccaneers fans were clearly aghast at the reversal in decision, taking to social media to voice their complaints. Thankfully, the call didn’t matter for them in the end, as an Emeka Egbuka touchdown, his second of the game, was enough to give them the victory.
