Vikings Referee Assignment (Week 12) – What to Know About Refs for Vikings vs Bears Game

The Minnesota Vikings face the Chicago Bears for the first time of the season, this Sunday. This will be their third NFC North matchup so far, in 2024. Kevin O’Connell and company were fortunate enough to have their trip to Chicago scheduled before Thanksgiving.

The Vikings were not as fortunate, however, with their drawing at referee, this weekend. This is the second time Clay Martin’s crew has worked a Minnesota game this year. The first came at U.S. Bank Stadium, a 31-29 loss to the Detroit Lions, one of only two losses on the entire season for the purple.

Minnesota Vikings Refs in Week 12: Clay Martin Crew

At first glance (per nflpenalties.com), Martin’s crew throws flags at a slightly above-average rate. Out of 17 NFL referee crews, they throw the sixth-most flags, for the seventh-most yards. However, they throw 7.33 flags per game on visiting teams, the second-highest in the NFL. Home teams have been called for 1.11 fewer flags.

No referee crew in the league has called offensive holding as often as Martin’s. They have called 2.00 holds per game on the home team and 2.22 on the visitors. Both the Vikings and Bears have been good about not getting holding penalties, but it’s still worth monitoring.

Opposing defenses have all eyes on Justin Jefferson these days, and rightfully so.

He sees a lot of double-coverages, wants that 1-on-1 chance again.

Jefferson didn't play the Bears at all last season, would imagine Jaylon Johnson will be attached to him this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/p68ofD3XBF

— Alec Ausmus (@A_TwiceKSTP) November 21, 2024

Here’s where things get tricky. Only two crews call fewer defensive pass interferences per game than Martin’s. This will help the Bears who have the ninth-ranked pass defense in the league. This too, would seemingly benefit Chicago, who you’d have to imagine wants to get handsy with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

Watch out for more illegal formation calls…

One final nugget to monitor is that no one has called illegal formation more than Martin. This has been a point of emphasis in 2024, hurting the Vikings two weeks ago in Jacksonville and then benefitting the Purple last week when it erased a Titans touchdown.

Related: Vikings RB Aaron Jones Gives Update on His Injured Ribs

The purple are tied for the second-most such infractions in the league, meaning their offensive line and receivers need to be disciplined when lining up before the play. And really, that’s not something the Minnesota Vikings have been particularly good at this season.

So, if you’re sitting in front of your TV on Sunday and wonder why the Vikings may not be benefitting from many calls, just know it’s part of the gig when referee Clay Martin and his crew are officiating the game.