Shawn Smith will serve as head referee for Sunday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets. While Smith is a long-time and highly respected official, his track record doesn’t speak well for the home team Steelers.
Per Pro Football Reference, which tracks all of Smith’s games, he’s called more penalties on the home than away team the last two seasons. Per the site’s metrics, the home team has had a lower percentage chance of winning in the games Smith has called the past two years and three of the last four.
In 2024, the home team has only won two of the five games Smith has officiated, the Chicago Bears beating the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, and the Buffalo Bills beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3.