The NFL officiating crews have been announced for the Wild Card round of the playoffs. The Ravens’ crew may be sticklers for Offensive Holding.
The officiating crew for the Ravens’ Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers has been announced and they draw Alex Kemp and crew. According to the nflpenalties.com, Alex Kemp’s crew officiated 16 games in 2024. They tied with Shawn Hochuli’s for the fourth-most penalties whistled in 2024 (221).
Kemp’s crew officiated one Ravens game this season: Week 7 between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In said game, the Ravens committed nine penalties for 85 yards and were flagged a total of 11 times. The Buccaneers committed eight penalties for 75 yards.
Week 7 Penalty Log on Ravens
- Roughing the Passer – N. Madubuike
- Defensive Holding – B. Stephens
- Offensive Holding – D. Faalele
- Offensive Holding – R. Stanley
- Offensive Holding – P. Mekari
- Offensive Holding – P. Mekari
- Offensive Pass Interference – Isaiah Likely
- Ineligible Downfield Pass – T. Linderbaum
- Defensive Offside – C. Kolar (declined)
- Offensive Holding – Z. Flowers
- Illegal Contact – N. Wiggins (declined)
Kemp’s Crew 2024 Season Penalty Log (Top 5 Infractions)
- Offensive Holding – 59
- False Start – 31
- Defensive Holding – 18
- Delay of Game – 13
- Defensive Pass Interference – 12
The data shows the Ravens’ offensive line must be technically sound against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ front. Five of their penalties were whistled on offensive linemen in Week 7. Avoiding 1st & Long and 2nd & long, denying them of big runs or to get ahead of the sticks will be imperative against the Steelers’ defense if they hope to advance in the first round.
Home vs. Away Stats (Per Game)
Offensive Holding
Home: 1.44
Away: 2.25
False Start
Home: 0.69
Away: 1.25
Defensive Holding
Home: 0.56
Away: 0.56
Delay of Game
Home: 0.38
Away: 0.44
Defensive Pass Interference
Home: 0.44
Away: 0.31
The splits indicate the Ravens may be in better shape than the Steelers when it comes to a few infractions. Kemp’s crew calls far more offensive holding calls on the away team. The difference in false starts is negligible, seeing as the crowd and noise impact comes when the opposing team is on the field and not against the home team. Otherwise, it’s a rather balanced split for the top five penalties the crew call infractions upon.
It’s been preached all season, and it bears repeating. The Ravens cannot beat themselves by playing undisciplined. When they play technically proficient, no team appears capable of defeating them.
It’s easier said than done when going up against the likes of Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. A lot will be on the shoulders of the Ravens’ offensive line as they go for Round Three against their division rivals.