Chiefs vs. Ravens AFC Championship Referee Assignment is Excellent News

The NFL announced Monday that veteran referee Shawn Smith will serve as the lead official in the AFC Championship game between the Chiefs and Ravens in Baltimore.

That's relieving news, as Smith is well-regarded around the NFL and has no history of disastrous calls, unlike other officials that were potentially in the mix.

Here's the latest on the assignment and what it means for the matchup:

AFC Championship Game Referee Assignment

Smith has been with the NFL since 2015, spending a few seasons as an umpire before becoming a lead referee. Unlike officials such as Carl Cheffers, there's no embarrassing history between Smith and the Chiefs.

He was the lead referee in the Chiefs' loss to the Eagles earlier this season, though it's worth noting he was also refereeing when the Chiefs stunningly lost to the Colts in Week 3 of last season.

For the last four seasons, games with Smith as the lead official have, on average, just over 11 penalties per game.

All things considered, this is great news for fans hoping the game will be decided by the players on the field and not the referees themselves. With a strong history of fair officiating, Smith is the right man for what should be a thrilling contest.

If you're interested in scoring a BIG payday on the game, FanDuel Sportsbook has a guaranteed $150 bonus available for any $5 bet backing the Chiefs! Sign up, deposit at least $10 and bet $5 or more on the Chiefs vs. Ravens and you'll get $150 in bonus bets win or lose. Ensure you're a winner this week and sign up for FanDuel now!

More Kansas City Chiefs News: