Playoff football brings tighter margins and heightened scrutiny across every part of the game. When the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers face off Monday night to close out Wild Card Weekend, the officiating crew will be an essential part of the equation. The NFL has assigned a veteran referee with extensive postseason experience to oversee a matchup expected to be physical and competitive from start to finish.
What Does Craig Wrolstad’s Penalty History Mean for Steelers vs. Texans AFC Wild Card Game?
Craig Wrolstad will serve as referee for Monday night’s AFC Wild Card showdown, marking his 16th career postseason assignment.
Now in his 23rd NFL season and 12th as a referee, Wrolstad has worked nine Wild Card games, four Divisional Round contests, two conference championships, and Super Bowl 47, where he served as a field judge. His assignment reflects the league’s confidence in his ability to handle high-stakes environments.
Wrolstad’s crew has officiated 17 games during the 2025 season and has been among the more active units in terms of flag volume. In total, his crew has called 200 penalties, averaging just under 12 per game.
Offensive holding has been the most common infraction at 36 calls, followed by 30 false starts and 20 defensive pass interference penalties. Unnecessary roughness, delay of the game, and defensive holding have also been recurring themes.
That tendency could be relevant for both teams. Pittsburgh cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has previously drawn defensive pass interference flags under Wrolstad’s crew.
At the same time, Houston’s young offensive line will need to be mindful of holding and pre-snap penalties in a hostile road environment. With playoff games often decided on field position and extended drives, marginal calls carry outsized importance.
Wrolstad also brings familiarity with the Steelers in January. He served as the head referee for Pittsburgh’s 2016 Wild Card Round win over the Miami Dolphins, which remains the franchise’s second-most recent postseason victory.
This is the second consecutive year he has received a playoff assignment after working last season’s Buccaneers–Commanders Wild Card game.
Here is the full officiating crew for Monday’s Wild Card matchup:
- Umpire: Brandon Cruse
- Down Judge: Daniel Gallagher
- Line Judge: Brett Bergman
- Field Judge: John Jenkins
- Side Judge: Frank Steratore
- Back Judge: Rich Martinez
- Replay Official: Jamie Nicholson
- Replay Assistant: Jim Van Geffen
With a veteran referee, a penalty profile that leans towards aggression, and prior interactions with key players on both sides, officiating will be a subtle yet meaningful layer as the Texans and Steelers close out Wild Card Weekend.
