Bill Vinovich will referee Sunday Opening Night game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, a source tells Fox Sports Southwest. Vinovich, who refereed Super Bowl XLIX last February between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, will be officiating his second-straight Giants-Cowboys game.
Dallas is 5-2 in games refereed by Vinovich, including a 3-0 record against divisional opponents, while the Giants are 2-1 with that lone loss coming last November in a 31-28 loss to the Cowboys.
The Giants had fewer penalties than the Cowboys, making it the third straight time New York had fewer penalties than their opponents in a Vinovich-reffed game. The Cowboys meanwhile are 4/7 and haven't had fewer penalties than their opponents since 2013 at Detroit.
Under Vinovich, the Cowboys have won 1/4 of their coaches challenges compared to their opponents winning 2/5 coaches challenges. Additionally, Replay Assistant is 2/7 on challenges with only two of those rulings benefiting the Cowboys.
The Giants are 1/2 on coaches challenges under Vinovich with opponents being 0/2. Replay Assistant is 1/3 on challenges with two calls benefiting the Giants.
Among the 15 active referees in 2014 who are returning, Vinovich had a .600 home team winning percentage, which was seventh-best among his peers. His .688 percentage of the home team having fewer penalties was tied for second-highest in the league.
