The Denver Broncos have drawn the short straw when it comes to referees in their games this young season, at least if you believe in bad juju when it comes to history.
In Week 1, the Broncos had Clay Martin referee their game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes had never lost a game in which Martin was the referee,
and that streak continued. Now in Week 3, Bill Vinovich will head the officiating crew in the Broncos' game against the Los Angeles Rams.Who is Bill Vinovich? He was the referee in a game that featured perhaps the most blatant missed call in NFL history. That was the 2018 NFC Championship Game in which the New Orleans Saints, then coached by Payton, were beaten by, coincidentally, the Rams.
January 20, 2019: Drew Brees pass
intended for Tommylee Lewis sails incomplete. Nickell Robey-Coleman on the coverage. No flag. #LARvsNO #NFCChampionship pic.twitter.com/AvzGcpGm2h
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) January 20, 2020
Sean Payton was on the wrong side of history with Bill Vinovich
Why was no call made? No one seems to know, but it certainly may have cost Payton and the Saints a trip to the Super Bowl. Years later, Vinovich was the referee in the Wild Card round of the playoffs when the Buffalo Bills defeated the Broncos following the 2024 season.
Payton has likely never forgotten that missed call in the 2018 NFC Championship game, and it could possibly be in the back of his head on Sunday night when the Broncos take the field. But just like in Week 1 against the Chiefs, the Broncos can't let a referee be an excuse.
And there could be a silver lining. In their last five games in which Vinovich was the referee, the Broncos have a winning record of 3-2. As for the Rams, in the last five games where Vinovich was their referee, they have a record of 1-4.
At the end of the day, this may not mean much of anything. But if you're superstitious, it could mean a great deal.
The Broncos will face the Rams on Sunday Night Football from Empower Field at Mile High on Sept. 27. Kickoff is set for 6:20 p.m. MT, and the game will be televised nationally on NBC. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will have the call.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Referee for Broncos-Rams game has a history with Sean Payton
