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A Look at the Officiating Crew Assigned to Giants-Saints Week 14 Game

The officiating crew assigned to call the Giants-Saints Week 14 game is among the most "flag-happy" crews in the NFL.
Patricia Traina|
Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NFL referee Clete Blakeman signals during the first half of the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium.
Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NFL referee Clete Blakeman signals during the first half of the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. | Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

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New York Giants

Referee Clete Blakeman and his crew have been assigned to officiate the NEw York Giants’ Week 14 game against the New Orleans Saints.

Blakeman is a 17-year NFL official who has spent the last 15 years as a referee after serving two seasons as a field judge for now retired referee Bill Leavy. His crew consists of umpire Scott Campbell, down judge Dana McKenzie, line judge Julian Mapp, field judge (and first-year NFL official) Karina Tovar, side judge Jaes Coleman, back judge Jonah Monroe, replay official Chad Adams and replay assistant (and first-year official) Amber Cornell.

With the exception of Tovar, who previously was in the Pac-12 and Cornell, previously with the Big Ten, all but Coleman were part of Blakeman’s crew in 2023, Coleman serving on Alex Kemp’s crew last year.

This is the first time this season Blakeman’s crew has been assigned to a Giants game. Overall, the Giants are 3-6 in games Blakeman’s crew has officiated while the Saints are 7-7 in such games.

Blakeman’s crew has called 168 penalties this season for 1,413 yards, with only 18 having been declined and four offsetting.

The 168 penalties called by Blakeman’s crew are the second most called by an officiating crew this season while the 22 dismissed flags (declined and offsetting) rank as the fifth fewest in the league.

Blakeman has drawn nine postseason assignments including three conference title games and Super Bowl 50.  

Blakeman’s crew drew criticism for the job it did in the Rams’ 30-20 win over the Vikings in which they missed a facemask call against the Rams that allowed a safety recorded by Los Angeles to stand, putting the Vikings in need of two scores to have a chance at a win.  

And there were questionable non-calls in a game between the Bengals and Ravens, including holding against tight end Mike Gescki and a late hit against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.  

According to Sharp Football Analysis, since 2016, home teams are 61-67-3 ATS (against the spread) with Blakeman’s crew officiating the games.  The Giants, per FanDuel, are a 5.5-point underdog. 

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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