Equally exciting starts for the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Chargers have fallen to the wayside. Unable to match their early hot starts, both teams have taken a step back in the division. While the former now sits in last place in the NFC North, the latter has fallen behind the Denver Broncos and is tied with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.
Both teams, as they slowly start to get healthier, will be looking to get back on track in the winning department as well. As a result, they have a critical challenge in front of them when they face off in a primetime Thursday Night Football game that could have major playoff implications down the road.
With the NFL world’s focus squarely on the game, the league would like to ensure that it is as controversy-free as possible.
Who Are the Referees for Vikings vs. Chargers?
A conversation that has plagued football games over the last few seasons, officiating remains a thorn in fans’ sides. Due to the speed and physicality of the game, it is impossible to be 100% accurate for any referee.
As a result, there are a few calls, typically in each game, that do not go over well with the fan base. In a major spot, with a wildly important game on the line, the NFL would like to ensure that those conversations are at a minimum.
Which is why they are taking no chances and appointing one of the senior-most officials available in the league today as the referee in Clete Blakeman. A former collegiate quarterback himself, he spent four years at the spot for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Typically reserved for a backup role, he found his career in football as an official when he was hired as a field judge in 2008. His ascension, though, was meteoric, as he took over the referee role just two years later and has held onto it ever since.
With a wealth of experience behind him, he has also participated in nine postseason games, including Super Bowl 50. His voice is also one that many younger fans will be familiar with, as he has been the man to lend his voice for referee announcements for the Madden NFL video game franchise since 2013.
During his 16th season in the NFL as a referee, he has the third-longest tenure among all officials, only behind Bill Vinovich (17th year) and Carl Cheffers (18th season). His crew for the season is as follows:
- Umpire: Scott Campbell
- Down Judge: Andy Warner
- Line Judge: Kent Payne
- Field Judge:Â Karina Tovar
- Side Judge: James Coleman
- Back Judge:Â Jonah Monroe
- Replay Official: Chad Adams
- Replay Assistant: Amber Cipriani
The crew alongside Blakeman has been one of the most conservative units in the entire league when it comes to calling penalties. They have the fourth-fewest in the league, at 77 in six games. Even on a per-game basis, they aren’t that bad, ranking fifth-fewest at 12.83.
