Dan Campbell discussed the excitement of the unknown with reporters Monday as the Lions prepare to host the Washington Commanders in Saturday’s divisional round at Ford Field. Washington is an unknown opponent for Detroit, and Campbell noted that the uncertainty adds a unique element to the game.
Added to the unknowns for the Lions is the team of officials assigned to the match.
Referee Ron Tolbert, now in his 15th season in the NFL and 11th as a referee, will lead the team. Notably, the Lions did not have Tolbert’s crew during the 2024 regular season.
The Commanders did, however, encounter Tolbert’s crew in their Week 13 victory over the Tennessee Titans, a 42-19 blowout. This game saw 19 total penalties – 12 called on the Titans for 93 yards and seven on Washington for 65 yards.
Tolbert’s crew developed a reputation for frequent calls to offensive and defensive positions. During the 2024 season, they ranked second in penalties behind Clete Blakeman’s crewwith 237 flags spread over 16 matches.
In a Week 8 game between the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks, Tolbert’s crew threw 24 flags, totaling 167 penalty yards. Eleven of those penalties were against the Seahawks, marking the most penalties given to a home team by Tolbert’s crew this season.
The Lions last had a Tolbert-led officiating crew in a Week 14, 34-23 win over the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, where they were assessed seven penalties for 51 yards.
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