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Fansided

Referee for Eagles' Divisional Game Recently Screwed Over Philly

By Richard Louis

Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts during the game against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts during the game against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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The No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles will have the No. 4 seed Los Angeles Rams coming into town for a collision in the Divisional Round.

The Eagles knocked out the Philadelphia 22-10 last week, while the Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-9. This contest is pivotal, as a trip to the NFC Championship Game is on the line.

Philadelphia will be without LB Nakobe Dean for the remainder of the postseason due to a knee injury and need to rely on their depth.

As the Eagles prepare for this contest, it has been announced that Shawn Smith will be the referee for this contest. Smith was the same ref who ejected safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the Week 16 contest against the Washington Commanders.

Eagles News: Shawn Smith is Going to Ref Divisional Game vs. Rams

In the Week 16 loss to the Commanders, Gardner-Johnson was ejected in the third quarter after getting called for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. One of which was incredibly questionable, as CJGJ was flagged despite being the one who was shoved by a Washington player.

That didn't go over well for the Eagles, as they were up 10 points when Gardner-Johnson was ejected but ended up losing 36-33.

Smith has been a ref in the league since 2015. This season, the home team has won 56.2% of games under Smith, but 45% of his penalties ended up being called on the home squad. Fans should also get ready to see multiple penalty flags on Sunday. In 2024, Smith called an average of 12 flags for 104 yards per game.

Meanwhile, the Eagles were 11th in the NFL with 6.1 penalties per game and seventh penalty yards per game (47.6).

Philadelphia hopes to play a clean game and limit the penalties that can handicap a team at times.

In Week 12, the Eagles went on the road and beat the Rams 37-20 behind Saquon Barkley's 255 rushing yards. This matchup will surely be a physical contest, but Philadelphia can't afford to lose any players. Smith has already shown he's not afraid to eject anyone from the game.

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