As the Detroit Lions prepare to face the New York Giants in Week 12, the officiating spotlight falls on veteran referee Craig Wrolstad and his crew. According to NFL officiating assignments, Wrolstad is slated to lead the game in Detroit — a significant detail for fans who follow NFL crew tendencies.
Wrolstad’s team wrapped up the 2024 season as one of the most flagged crews in the league, throwing 252 accepted penalties — second only to Clete Blakeman’s squad. But interestingly, this season they’ve cooled off: in 10 games so far in 2025, they’ve called 118 accepted penalties, putting them roughly in the middle among the league’s 17 active crews.
Here’s a look at key members of Wrolstad’s crew for Sunday’s game:
Umpire: Brandon Cruse, a newer addition to the team.
Down Judge: Danny Short
Line Judge: Brett Bergman
Field Judge: Jeff Shears
Side Judge: Frank Steratore (yes, that Steratore)
Back Judge: Rich Martinez
Replay Official: Gavin Anderson
Replay Assistant: Ken Hall
Why does this matter for the Lions? Referee tendencies can subtly shape how teams play. A crew that called a high number of flags in the past might lean tighter or looser depending on the game flow, personnel, and current season trends. Knowing this crew’s history — combined with its reduced flag rate this year — gives both teams and fans something to watch closely.
If Detroit plans to lean into physicality or use tempo-based plays on offense, they’ll want to be mindful of how this crew may interpret contact or holding. Conversely, with fewer whistles reported so far this year, there could be more leeway for aggressive play — potentially tilting the board slightly in Detroit’s favor.
Bottom line: The Lions know who’s running this game, and understanding these refs could be just as important as any X’s and O’s when it comes to executing their game plan.
Here’s Who’s Officiating Detroit-New York This Weekend: Wrolstad Leads the Crew
