NFL Officiating Observatory
CREW CHIEF PROFILE
Brad Allen: NFL referee penalty stats (2026)
Brad Allen is an NFL referee (crew chief). In 2026, games his crew has worked average 15.2 accepted penalties over 6 games, 3% above the league's 14.7. Across 2015–25 his crew averaged 12.1 per game (169 games), a let them play style: fewer flags, smaller calls.
Calling style
Career (2015–25): Let them play, fewer flags, smaller calls. 2026 so far: Stop-and-start.
- Calls more defensive holding: 26% above the league rate
- More flags on defenses: 51% on offenses (league 54%)
- Smaller calls: 8.2 yards per flag (league 8.4)
- Calls fewer illegal block above the waist: 16% below the league rate
Calls most like: Clete Blakeman, Adrian Hill.
Penalty types vs the league (2015–25, season-adjusted, per game)
| Penalty | Per game | vs league rate |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Holding | 0.96 | +26% |
| Illegal Block Above the Waist | 0.33 | -16% |
| Delay of Game | 0.62 | +13% |
| Offensive Holding | 2.17 | -12% |
| Unnecessary Roughness | 0.61 | -10% |
| False Start | 2.08 | -6% |
| Defensive Pass Interference | 1.01 | -2% |
| Defensive Offside | 0.59 | +2% |
| Neutral Zone Infraction | 0.45 | -1% |
| Roughing the Passer | 0.41 | -0% |
Season by season
| Season | Games | Flags / game |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 15 | 12.3 |
| 2016 | 16 | 15.9 |
| 2017 | 16 | 11.8 |
| 2018 | 15 | 12.1 |
| 2019 | 15 | 13.3 |
| 2020 | 16 | 10.2 |
| 2021 | 17 | 11.2 |
| 2022 | 17 | 11.9 |
| 2023 | 16 | 10.6 |
| 2024 | 17 | 12.2 |
| 2025 | 16 | 10.1 |
| 2026 | 6 | 15.2 |
Recent games
| Date | Game | Score | Flags | By team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-25 | MIA @ NYJ | 28–25 | 11 | MIA 5 · NYJ 6 |
| 2026-10-11 | BAL @ ATL | 30–23 | 12 | BAL 5 · ATL 7 |
| 2026-10-04 | DAL @ HOU | 34–30 | 19 | DAL 6 · HOU 13 |
| 2026-09-27 | ARI @ SF | 30–36 | 17 | ARI 10 · SF 7 |
| 2026-09-21 | NYG @ LA | 6–28 | 9 | NYG 3 · LA 6 |
| 2026-09-13 | CHI @ CAR | 59–37 | 23 | CHI 12 · CAR 11 |
| 2026-01-11 | BUF @ JAX | 27–24 | 9 | BUF 7 · JAX 2 |
| 2026-01-03 | CAR @ TB | 14–16 | 11 | CAR 5 · TB 6 |
| 2025-12-28 | JAX @ IND | 23–17 | 11 | JAX 6 · IND 5 |
| 2025-12-18 | LA @ SEA | 37–38 | 13 | LA 8 · SEA 5 |
Questions
How many penalties does Brad Allen call per game?
In 2026 through Week 7, games Brad Allen's crew worked averaged 15.2 accepted penalties and 112.0 penalty yards per game (6 games). His 2015–25 average was 12.1; the 2026 league average is 14.7.
What penalties does Brad Allen call most?
Per game, 2015–25: offensive holding (2.17), false start (2.08), defensive pass interference (1.01). Compared with other crews: Calls more defensive holding: 26% above the league rate; More flags on defenses: 51% on offenses (league 54%).
Does Brad Allen call more penalties on the home team?
In 2015–25, 48% of the flags in his games were on the home team (league: 49%). Small differences like this are normal and are not evidence of bias.
Statistics reflect the crew chief's assignment; crews change around the chief each year. Patterns, not motives.