2018 divisional playoffs Patriots vs. Titans: Ron Torbert named referee

On Saturday, the New England Patriots will enter the 2017 NFL playoffs and host the Tennessee Titans for the two teams’ divisional round game. The defending world champions and top seed in the AFC will also welcome referee Ron Torbert to Gillette Stadium. As first reported by Football Zebras, the fourth-year referee will call the game between the Patriots and Titans.

The website had to say the following about Torbert:

Ron Torbert is the referee, who is in his 8th season and 4th as referee. This is his 6th postseason assignment, including 3 Wild Card Playoffs and 3 Divisional Playoffs; he has received a playoff assignment in every year he was eligible.

Torbert worked one Patriots game this season, the team's week 12 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. New England was flagged seven times during the contest, losing 70 yards as a result, while Miami was penalized six times for a loss of 52 yards. It was Torbert's third assignment to a Patriots game in his four years as a referee.

For comparison, Torbert called two Titans games this season: In week three, he flagged Tennessee five times for a loss of 45 yards; in week 11 he penalized them nine times for 65 yards.

The entire crew for Saturday's game, which as usual for the postseason is an all-star ensemble, looks as follows (original crew of each member in parenthesis):

R 62 Ron Torbert

U 102 Bruce Stritesky (Bill Vinovich)

DJ 6 Jerod Phillips (Walt Anderson)

LJ 9 Mark Perlman (Bill Vinovich)

FJ 104 Dale Shaw (Ed Hochuli)

SJ 3 Scott Roberts (Ron Torbert)

BJ 46 Perry Paganelli (John Parry)

Replay: Darryll Lewis

Alternates: Clete Blakeman (R), Gary Arthur (LJ), Steve Patrick (BJ)