Bill Vinovich to referee Broncos-Rams Week 3 matchup
The short version
- Bill Vinovich is the referee for Broncos-Rams in Week 3
- Vinovich refereed the 2018 NFC Championship Game missed call that went against Sean Payton's Saints
- Broncos are 3-2 in their last five games officiated by Vinovich; Rams are 1-4
- Kickoff is 6:20 p.m. MT on Sept. 27 at Empower Field at Mile High on NBC
The veteran official oversaw the infamous missed call in the 2018 NFC title game when Sean Payton's Saints lost to the Rams.
Bill Vinovich has been assigned as the referee for the Denver Broncos' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Yahoo Sports. The assignment carries some notable history for Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who was coaching the New Orleans Saints in the January 2019 NFC Championship Game that Vinovich's crew officiated.
In that game, no flag was thrown on a late hit by Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman on receiver Tommylee Lewis, a missed call widely viewed as one of the most glaring in NFL history. The Rams won the game, denying the Saints a trip to the Super Bowl.
Vinovich also served as referee for the Wild Card playoff game in which the Buffalo Bills eliminated the Broncos following the 2024 season.
Recent results under Vinovich have actually favored Denver, which is 3-2 in its last five games with him as referee. The Rams are 1-4 in their last five with Vinovich in charge.
The Broncos host the Rams on Sunday Night Football on Sept. 27 at Empower Field at Mile High. Kickoff is set for 6:20 p.m. MT, with the game televised nationally on NBC and called by Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth.
