“On Monday, the NFL announced the referees for each first-round matchup. Clay Martin has been selected to lead the officiating crew for Browns vs. Texans.
Martin is a nine-year veteran who has worked the last six seasons as a referee. He's worked a playoff game in each of the past three years, and also logged another postseason appearance as an umpire during the 2016 campaign.
The selection of Martin as lead official on Sunday could be very beneficial for the Browns. During the 2023 season, Martin's crew called 56.82% of its penalties against the home team, per Pro-Football-Reference. That figure is notable considering the league average this past year was only 49.08%.
Even better news for Cleveland, which will be on the road, is home teams only won 43.75% of the time during the 2023 season when Martin was reffing. That's also below the league average of 55.51%.
Now, this doesn't guarantee anything for the Browns. Martin will surely look to call as fair of a game as possible on Saturday since it is his job. The NFL will also finalize his crew in the coming days, so it's not likely he has the same people who contributed to that road favoritism working alongside him.
But regardless, the numbers show a stricter watching of home teams for any infractions while Martin is working, which could lead to flags that benefit Cleveland during this matchup.”
“On Monday, the NFL announced the referees for each first-round matchup. Clay Martin has been selected to lead the officiating crew for Browns vs. Texans.
Martin is a nine-year veteran who has worked the last six seasons as a referee. He's worked a playoff game in each of the past three years, and also logged another postseason appearance as an umpire during the 2016 campaign.
The selection of Martin as lead official on Sunday could be very beneficial for the Browns. During the 2023 season, Martin's crew called 56.82% of its penalties against the home team, per Pro-Football-Reference. That figure is notable considering the league average this past year was only 49.08%.
Even better news for Cleveland, which will be on the road, is home teams only won 43.75% of the time during the 2023 season when Martin was reffing. That's also below the league average of 55.51%.
Now, this doesn't guarantee anything for the Browns. Martin will surely look to call as fair of a game as possible on Saturday since it is his job. The NFL will also finalize his crew in the coming days, so it's not likely he has the same people who contributed to that road favoritism working alongside him.
But regardless, the numbers show a stricter watching of home teams for any infractions while Martin is working, which could lead to flags that benefit Cleveland during this matchup.”
Those holding calls will be killer for both teams especially for Cleveland on the offense and defensive end.. both teams are high in offensive holding. Those DPI and Unnecessary Roughness calls will also be killer for Houston. Time for Jumpball Joe to work his magic
Those holding calls will be killer for both teams especially for Cleveland on the offense and defensive end.. both teams are high in offensive holding. Those DPI and Unnecessary Roughness calls will also be killer for Houston. Time for Jumpball Joe to work his magic
If we are talking about this angle.. I think the league wants Houston to win...Up and coming team with up and coming star QB....Does anyone really want to see Joe Flacco and Cleveland move on? Great story for him but...Seriously... If Houston needs assistance in winning ..the league will help them win...
If we are talking about this angle.. I think the league wants Houston to win...Up and coming team with up and coming star QB....Does anyone really want to see Joe Flacco and Cleveland move on? Great story for him but...Seriously... If Houston needs assistance in winning ..the league will help them win...
U must be a Browns fan? Hopefully the refs won't get involved and best team wins..but u are Naive to think that the NFL is not about the next superstar and and cash cow...Stroud is nowhere near that right now..but a playoff win bring a lot of attention and hype
U must be a Browns fan? Hopefully the refs won't get involved and best team wins..but u are Naive to think that the NFL is not about the next superstar and and cash cow...Stroud is nowhere near that right now..but a playoff win bring a lot of attention and hype
Normally I would agree but there are plenty of young QBs especially in the AFC. Flacco vs the ravens and lions cowboys rematch are two things I would pencil in
Normally I would agree but there are plenty of young QBs especially in the AFC. Flacco vs the ravens and lions cowboys rematch are two things I would pencil in
That is some of the stuff I see on that crew. It did not really copy the format too well.
I never really use it a lot. But it is interesting when a crew calls fewer penalties than average and the two teams generally have fewer, or more, than average -- etc.
That is some of the stuff I see on that crew. It did not really copy the format too well.
I never really use it a lot. But it is interesting when a crew calls fewer penalties than average and the two teams generally have fewer, or more, than average -- etc.
@davemsh This “Flacco playing the ravens is a better storyline.” Not a Browns fan either. Surprised you don’t see it.
Unfortunately it does/may not work that way...If Dolphins win and Pitt loses...Dolphins go to Balty...And Cleveland goes to Buffalo....Or if Pitt beats Buffalo ..they go to Balty..Not exact set in stone..
@davemsh This “Flacco playing the ravens is a better storyline.” Not a Browns fan either. Surprised you don’t see it.
Unfortunately it does/may not work that way...If Dolphins win and Pitt loses...Dolphins go to Balty...And Cleveland goes to Buffalo....Or if Pitt beats Buffalo ..they go to Balty..Not exact set in stone..
@davemsh This “Flacco playing the ravens is a better storyline.” Not a Browns fan either. Surprised you don’t see it.
Or if u believe in your theory..then u will play a 3 Team ML parlay on the all Fave's - KC/Cleveland/Buffalo...all fave's, which probably won't happen...Then Cleveland goes to Balty and Flacco vs his former team...
@davemsh This “Flacco playing the ravens is a better storyline.” Not a Browns fan either. Surprised you don’t see it.
Or if u believe in your theory..then u will play a 3 Team ML parlay on the all Fave's - KC/Cleveland/Buffalo...all fave's, which probably won't happen...Then Cleveland goes to Balty and Flacco vs his former team...
Quote Originally Posted by BallingLikeNE: @davemsh This “Flacco playing the ravens is a better storyline.” Not a Browns fan either. Surprised you don’t see it. Or if u believe in your theory..then u will play a 3 Team ML parlay on the all Fave's - KC/Cleveland/Buffalo...all fave's, which probably won't happen...Then Cleveland goes to Balty and Flacco vs his former team...
Quote Originally Posted by BallingLikeNE: @davemsh This “Flacco playing the ravens is a better storyline.” Not a Browns fan either. Surprised you don’t see it. Or if u believe in your theory..then u will play a 3 Team ML parlay on the all Fave's - KC/Cleveland/Buffalo...all fave's, which probably won't happen...Then Cleveland goes to Balty and Flacco vs his former team...
We shall see how many of these "storylines" will hold up but usually it's about that time of the year where the tinfoil hat brigade is at its strongest. Gonna be one hell of a postseason brothas be ready gentlemen!
We shall see how many of these "storylines" will hold up but usually it's about that time of the year where the tinfoil hat brigade is at its strongest. Gonna be one hell of a postseason brothas be ready gentlemen!
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