The NFL has officially announced the officiating assignments for Week 1, and the Green Bay Packers will face the Minnesota Vikings with Shawn Hochuli serving as the referee. This matchup, set to take place in Minneapolis, marks the beginning of the 2026 NFL season for both teams.
Hochuli is known for his crew's propensity to throw flags, having ranked among the top four teams in the league for penalties called per game in consecutive seasons. This reputation suggests that fans can expect a highly officiated game when the Packers and Vikings clash.
Last season, Hochuli officiated one game involving the Packers, which was their victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. In that contest, Hochuli's crew issued 11 penalties, one of the lower totals for the team throughout the regular season, resulting in 112 yards assessed (with two penalties declined). In total, Hochuli's crew officiated 17 regular-season games in 2025, and they recorded fewer than ten flags only once, during a matchup between the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars.
In terms of penalties, the Packers finished 14th in the NFL last season, while the Vikings were close behind at 16th. This indicates that both teams have had their share of infractions, which could play a significant role in how the game unfolds.
Interestingly, Hochuli's officiating crew did not call certain penalties, such as roughing the passer or pass interference, as frequently as other crews did last year. However, they were more active in flagging neutral zone infractions, illegal blocks above the waist, intentional groundings, and defensive holdings, often exceeding league averages.
Given Hochuli's history and the teams' recent performances, it would not be surprising if the number of penalties in this opening game reaches double digits. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on how the officiating impacts the pace and flow of the game as the Packers and Vikings kick off their seasons.
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