Betting on Super Bowl 59: Can Officiating Crew Impact Your Picks?

Here’s your first look at the Super Bowl LIX officiating crew.

Of note — Mike Morton won Super Bowl XXXIV as a linebacker with the @RamsNFL and is now working his first Super Bowl as an official. pic.twitter.com/p5ukUVkpwb

— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) January 21, 2025

Here’s a breakdown of how Torbert’s trends, crew and tendencies might shape the game and help make better betting decisions.

The Super Bowl 59 Refereeing crew is as follows:

• Referee – Ron Torbert
• Umpire – Mike Morton
• Down Judge – Max Causey
• Line Judge – Mark Stewart
• Field Judge – Mearl Robinson
• Side Judge – Boris Cheek
• Back Judge – Jonah Monroe
• Replay Official – Kevin Brown

Analysis of Super Bowl Officiating Crew

Profile of Referee Ron Torbert

A veteran referee, Torbert has been assigned to officiate his second Super Bowl in four years. Known for his sharp decision-making and consistency, Torbert is also one of the league’s most active flag-throwers. During the 2024 regular season, Torbert’s crew averaged 16.76 penalties per game, the third-highest in the NFL.

However, this NFL betting trend tends to shift during postseason games, where his flags drop significantly — just 9.5 per game on average since 2020. In Super Bowl 56, for example, Torbert and his crew called only six penalties, allowing the teams to play more freely.

RON TORBERT IS REFEREEING THE SUPER BOWL THIS YEAR.

TORBERT CALLED A HOLDING PENALTY ON THE #BENGALS, GIVING THE #RAMS A SUPER BOWL AND CREATING ONE OF THE BIGGEST SPORTS CONTROVERSIES.

Torbert has had some of the biggest controversies in league history. pic.twitter.com/ywymXjL9bc

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 24, 2025

This change in officiating style during the playoffs could impact the pace of play and scoring, favoring a more physical style from both teams. Bettors should note that while Torbert’s games during the 2024 regular season hit the over in 58.8% of contests, his playoff games have historically skewed toward the under for online bets.

Over the last four seasons, his games were 43-24-1 to the under (64.2%), giving him the best ROI for under bettors in that span.

Penalty Trends: Who Benefits?

The most common penalty called by Torbert’s crew this season was offensive holding, a drive-killer that can stall scoring opportunities. On the defensive side, Torbert’s crew averaged just 1.2 pass interference calls and 0.47 roughing the passer penalties per game, suggesting he lets defenses play relatively clean. This could limit explosive plays and contribute to a lower total for a high-stakes game like the Super Bowl.

The total for the game at BetUS sportsbook is 49 points, three points lower than the average game Torbert officiated in 2024. However, with the Eagles’ and Chiefs’ defenses capable of capitalizing on extended drives, the under becomes an intriguing bet, especially considering five of the last six Super Bowls have gone under.

Team-Specific Trends

Impact on Kansas City Chiefs

Torbert has officiated four Chiefs games in the Patrick Mahomes era, with Kansas City going 3-1 in those contests. These games averaged 49 total points and saw an average of 13.75 penalties called — slightly below his regular-season average.

Chiefs fans, however, may recall the controversy from the 2022 AFC Championship Game, where a clock mismanagement issue under Torbert’s supervision granted Kansas City a crucial replay on a failed third down. While that play didn’t result in points, it stirred conspiracy theories, earning Torbert’s crew the nickname “the Mahomes Crew.”

Despite the narratives, Kansas City has struggled slightly when Torbert officiates, posting a .500 record in his games compared to their .730 overall winning percentage in the same span, per Chiefs vs Eagles stats. Bettors expecting a Chiefs victory should tread cautiously, given the added scrutiny on Torbert and potential pressure to avoid controversial decisions.

Impact on Philadelphia Eagles

Torbert has officiated seven Eagles games since 2021, with Philadelphia posting a 5-2 record in those matchups. These games averaged 46.7 total points, just under the opening Super Bowl total of 49 in NFL betting lines.

The Eagles benefited from an average of only 11 penalties called per game in these contests, suggesting they’ve had more discipline or leniency when Torbert officiates. Bettors should note that Philadelphia was 11-9 to the under this season, making its scoring trends a potential match with Torbert’s historical postseason under trend.

The Bigger Picture

Bettors should also consider the psychological factors surrounding Torbert’s assignment in the NFL news. Social media criticism of the NFL’s graphic design announcement, which resembled Chiefs colors, has fueled conspiracy theories. While this narrative may seem frivolous, it could place additional scrutiny on Torbert and his crew, potentially influencing how tightly they officiate the game.

The Chiefs 12th man Ron Torbert will be officiating the Super Bowl this year.

If you don’t remember the name #Bengals fans, you certainly remember this play ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6JpQMeB34q

— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) January 21, 2025

Additionally, Torbert’s leniency in the postseason could favor offenses like Kansas City and Philadelphia, both of whom thrive in creating big plays. However, his historical under trend, paired with the defensive capabilities of both teams, still makes the under a strong consideration for NFL game picks.

Over the past 4 seasons 64% of Ron Torbert’s games have gone Under the total points. Currently sitting at 49.5 (-115) I’m leaning towards the under. pic.twitter.com/8r1eC006vU

— Russo (@_SDot22) January 27, 2025

Key Takeaways for Bettors

• Over/Under Trends: Torbert’s regular-season games leaned toward the over (58.8%), but his postseason history (64.2% to the under) suggests a tighter, more physical game.
• Penalties: Offensive holding is Torbert’s most common penalty, potentially stalling drives and limiting scoring opportunities.
• Team Records: Kansas City is 3-1 in Torbert-officiated games while Philadelphia is 5-2. Both teams average fewer penalties in games officiated by him, but Chiefs games trend slightly higher in scoring.
• Super Bowl Total: At 49, the total reflects Torbert’s regular-season averages but may underestimate his under-friendly playoff trends.

While Ron Torbert won’t determine the game’s outcome, his officiating tendencies can have a subtle but meaningful impact on NFL predictions. Bettors should weigh the trends carefully when betting on the spread, total, and even player props for Super Bowl 59.

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