Bills fans are not happy Shawn Hochuli will be referee for game against Chiefs
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There was angst in upstate New York on Tuesday, and it wasn’t because of the weather. No, Bills fans were full of dread after the NFL announced referee assignments for the Divisional playoff games.
Referee Shawn Hochuli will work the Chiefs’ game Sunday against the Bills in Orchard Park, New York. Hochuli has been an NFL official since 2014 and is in his sixth season as a referee.
Hochuli worked a pair of Chiefs games this season: the 27-17 win at New England last month and the 19-8 victory over the Broncos on Oct. 12. He also was the referee for the Chiefs’ 27-20 win over the Jaguars in last season’s AFC Divisional playoff game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Bills have seen Hochuli just once this season: a 37-34 overtime loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia in November.
Many Buffalo fans expressed their displeasure about Hochuli working the game.
A story on the WYRK radio website had the headline, “Bad news for Buffalo Bills fans in playoff game vs. the Chiefs.”
Chris Owen wrote: “Hochuli is known for calling a penalty-filled game. He’s called 347 yards in penalties on the Bills in the last four games he’s officiated for them. He’s also the head official for Bills game in Philadelphia, where the crew missed an obvious horse-collar tackle on Josh Allen, which likely would have resulted in a red zone touchdown.”
NFL officiating crews are different from the regular season. The crews are picked based on “individual merit,” according to Football Zebras.
Nevertheless, here is what some Bills fans were saying on social media (X and Reddit) about Hochuli.
I don't like the @BuffaloBills chances to win on Sun. Head ref Shawn Hochuli worked the atrociously called Bills/Eagles game this season and the Bills are 1-3 in games he's worked (Chiefs are 8-2). I can't help but feel that the NFL wants @taylorswift13 at Super Bowl. #BillsMafia
— Tyrone Walden knows the Endgame and how to play it (@TyroneWalden) January 17, 2024
On Sunday in the #DivisionalRound the Bills will be battling:
Mahomes
Kelce
Own injury-riddled defense (possibly)
Shaun Hochuli
If this is meant to be, we’ll for sure have earned it #BillsMafia— Austin Hill (@13AHill) January 17, 2024
Welp proof there’s an @NFL script!! How can they allow this @NFLOfficiating https://t.co/5nsqOyGGao
— Lisa G(@LisaG_325) January 17, 2024
A fan wrote on Reddit: “All the Hochuli’s hate the Bills.”
Another shared this: “Welp, there goes the season.”
So the Bills get Shawn Hochuli as their ref Sunday, for those who don’t remember he was the ref of arguably the worst hose job ever inflicted on the Bills in their loss at Philadelphia this year. I’m sure nothing will go wrong @NFL has such an officiating problem#BillsMafia
— Jim Conover (@JimConover10) January 16, 2024
It's pretty bad when you can predict the outcome of a football game the minute referees for it are announced.
Been a good run, #BillsMafia but we're not getting past "intentional grounding but not a horse collar" Hochuli, especially against KC.— Zambo (@zamboughnuts) January 17, 2024
Shawn Hochuli coming to Buffalo this weekend is some kind of sick joke. #BillsMafia
— Bills Run Deep (@BillsRunDeep2) January 16, 2024
“It’s unbelievable that the NFL would allow that officiating crew in the playoffs,” a fan wrote on Reddit. “The game (was) so patently one-sided that it should’ve caused of that crew.
“Even eagles fans were saying it was one-sided.”
Another shared this: “You’re kidding me. That was BAR NONE the worst officiated game against the Bills in the past 3+ years at minimum. Even neutral fans remember how bad the Bills got hosed that game.”
You’ve got to be kidding
— MantisJugger (@MantisJugger) January 16, 2024
Hochuli and his team better be on their best behavior on Sunday.
Bills fans will have snowballs and aren't afraid to use them.— Living In The Buff (@Jock_Dock) January 17, 2024
Seeing Shawn Hochuli and his crew will be the ref for the Bills game makes me mad and want to throw up…. He’s the worst, I don’t know why he’s even in the playoff rotation! This is how @NFLOfficiating @nfl @nflcommish scripts games and get their Swifties in the Super Bowl!
— Eric Michael (@dolppye) January 17, 2024
