It has basically become a time-honored tradition, but the NFL fan base finds a way to have something to complain about when it comes to the league’s officiating. With the referee’s job always being under the spotlight, it is impossible to make calls that are 100% accurate. Just last week, during the Minnesota Vikings’ game played on international soil, a Carson Wentz interception was ruled as an incomplete pass, giving Minnesota one last flicker.
Even though they ended up losing, it once again brought the job’s rigours to the forefront. When the league hosts its game in London this week, this time with the Vikings taking on the Cleveland Browns, they’ll try to avoid any such mishaps in front of a new audience. But to ensure the fairness of the game, who has the NFL chosen as the referee and his crew for their Week 5 clash?
Referees for Vikings vs. Browns
The focus for most folks heading into the game will be the drama in Cleveland. With Dillon Gabriel finally getting the starting nod over Joe Flacco, it should make for an interesting dynamic for a Browns offense that has otherwise failed to inspire confidence.
However, even with a rookie quarterback, the team might have more than a puncher’s chance going against a Minnesota team that has been ravaged by injuries. Cleveland’s defensive line, led by former DPOY Myles Garrett, is among the best in the league.
Going against a Vikings offensive line that is missing three of its starters and starting backup quarterback Wentz sounds like a recipe for disaster. The sixth-ranked defense on PFSN’s Defense Impact, going up against a below-average offensive line, according to PFSN’s OL Impact, could turn ugly real soon.
Add in the injuries to Minny’s offensive line and the game that could quickly turn ferocious, the NFL will need fair officiating.
As a result, the league has given the nod to Scott Novak and his crew. Starting his career in the NFL’s Officiating Development program, Novak first broke through in the Big 12 conference as a referee and deep wing official.
It wasn’t until the 2014 season that he got his nod to become a field judge in the NFL. Just five years later, with Pete Morelli and Walt Coleman calling it quits, he was promoted to the referee position, becoming the first at his job to wear the number 1 on his jersey.
His crew for the 2025 season includes:
- Umpire: Mike Morton
- Down Judge: Brian Sakowski
- Line Judge: Mark Stewart
- Field Judge:Â Terry Brown
- Side Judge: Don Willard
- Back Judge:Â Tony Josselyn
- Replay Official: Matt Sumstine
- Replay Assistant: Brian Davies
