The National Football League (NFL) has selected one of its longest-tenured referees to call Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona—Carl Cheffers. Since first becoming an official in 2000, Cheffers has now been selected as a referee for the Big Game three times, having already officiated Super Bowl LII and LV.
Cheffers currently ranks as the second-longest tenured NFL referee behind Jerome Boger and is well-known for his quick trigger on throwing the yellow flag when it’s warranted. the rest of the crews include:
- Roy Ellison
- Jerod Phillips
- Jeff Bergman
- John Jenkins
- Eugene Hall
- Dino Paganelli
- Mark Butterworth
As such, fans can expect strong attention to detail throughout the big game and but sports bettors should proceed with caution when predicting outcomes based on closely contested calls.
Betting Trends with Carl Cheffers as the Ref
As Super Bowl LVII approaches, it’s prudent to look at his track record and trends when bettors seek an edge. Of his last 12 playoff games, 10 have failed to reach the over/under betting lines while one hit the number on the dot and another cleared it outright.
Point Spread bettors should be confident in their underdog picks as well. Underdogs have gone 42-24-2 against the spread in Cheffers’ games since 2006–the second-best ATS mark for any referee in that time frame.
Expect that there will be a lot of penalties during the upcoming Super Bowl. Across the entire regular season, Cheffers led all NFL officiating crews in total penalties called per game as well as penalty yards – and tied for second overall in pass interference penalties called.
This could make a major difference when it comes to whether teams win or lose since five of the last 10 championship games have been determined by only single digits.
Perhaps most interesting, since Cheffer was brought on board to officiate championship games in 2008, underdogs have been 2-0 straight up and ATS. History may just be repeating itself come to LVII.
Underdogs as the New Favorites?
While favorites may have been the best choice for NFL bettors historically and of course more successful for Super Bowls, the recent decennial trend indicates that is not necessarily always the case.
Over the past 10 years, underdogs have won more games (6) than betting favorites (4). This includes covering the spread seven times.
All-time, favorites remain ahead with a record of 28-26-2 ATS but sports betters need to be wary when placing wagers on future matchups. In other words, gone are the days of simply assuming that you’ll always odds with a winning team just because they’re favored to win.
The Kansas City Chiefs open as slight underdogs, with the totals set at 49.5. The Chiefs beat the eagles during their last meeting (2021 season), 42-30.
Where to Bet at State Farm Stadium?
Sports Betting in Arizona has been more accessible with the State Farm Stadium launching the BetMGM Sportsbook at its North end. This 17,000-square-foot sportsbook stands as the first sportsbook in NFL history, featuring state-of-the-art wagering possibilities and amenities found in world-class bars and grills.
Highlights of the space include an expansive 265-square-foot video wall with over 35 high-definition televisions and both indoor and outdoor dining options. For added convenience, users can access five traditional betting windows or take advantage of 27 easy self-service wagering kiosks.
Aside from the onsite venue, Online sports betting apps in Arizona are regulated through the Arizona Department of Gaming and available for use statewide.
