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Head Referee for Chiefs vs. Ravens Week 1 Game Revealed

The referee assignment for the Chiefs season opener has been revealed.

By Cem Yolbulan

Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; NFL referee Shawn Hochuli (83) huddles with his crew during a timeout on the field during the first half of a game between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; NFL referee Shawn Hochuli (83) huddles with his crew during a timeout on the field during the first half of a game between the New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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The long wait is over and the 2024 NFL season is finally here. The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their journey for a historic three-peat at Arrowhead Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night. As the kickoff time inches closer, we are getting more details about the game. On Tuesday night, it was revealed that veteran referee Shawn Hochuli will be in charge for the first game of the season.

NFL News: Shawn Hochuli Head Referee in Chiefs Season Opener

Hochuli is entering his seventh season in the league as a head referee. Last season, he was assigned to 17 regular season games, including two Chiefs wins, one against the Patriots and another against the Broncos. He was also in charge in the Divisional Round win against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, he gave five penalties to the Bills for 28 yards as opposed to two penalties for 15 yards for the Chiefs.

It is safe to say that the Chiefs' track record with Hochuli as the head referee is a good sign ahead of Thursday. Kansas City similarly went 2-0 in the 2022 NFL season with Hochuli officiating their game.

This will be the 12th Chiefs game Hochuli will work as a head referee. In the prior 11 games, Kansas City has a 9-2 record.

With Hochuli as the head referee, home teams won 58.8% of the games last season, slightly more than the league average. That could give the Chiefs another slight advantage in the game they are already favored by 3 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

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