The NFL has assigned Craig Wrolstad’s crew to Sunday’s Week 8 divisional matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, and his group arrives with a familiar track record around Detroit.
Wrolstad has been a head referee since 2014 and has already worked several playoff games in that role, including the Lions’ first playoff win in 30 years when they hosted the Los Angeles Rams in primetime. Across the 10 games he’s worked as a head referee in Lions contests, Detroit is 5-5.
Last season, Wrolstad handled two Lions games. He was on the microphone for Detroit’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, a game that included a controversial call that wiped away an early Jared Goff touchdown on a trick play and a postgame scrum that resulted in a one-game suspension for Brian Branch. That night, just four penalties were called, and every one of them went against the Lions.
He also worked the Lions’ overtime win over the New York Giants on Nov. 23. That game had 16 total penalties, with nine called on Detroit and seven on New York.
Wrolstad’s resume includes another high-profile moment as well. He was working as a field judge in the Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens when the power went out, triggering a lengthy delay.
His crew has been busy early this season. Through six games, Wrolstad’s officials rank second in total flags thrown with 108, topping the Lions’ officiating crew from last week led by Alex Moore after 20 penalties were called in the Denver-Arizona matchup. Home teams are 4-2 with Wrolstad officiating so far this year.
The numbers suggest a crew that has not been shy with the whistle. Wrolstad’s group has reached at least 20 total flags in each of its last three games, including the Week 6 Sunday Night game between Dallas and Green Bay and the Week 5 meeting between New England and Las Vegas. Through six games, penalties have been split evenly at 54 for home teams and 54 for road teams.
Offensive holding has been the most frequent call, with Wrolstad whistling it 24 times, which ranks fourth among all crews. Defensive pass interference is next on the list, with 16 calls.
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