In a surprising turn of events, referee Brad Allen has been assigned to officiate the nationally-televised game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. The decision has raised eyebrows among football fans due to Allen's recent notoriety for controversial calls and missed penalties.

According to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter, Allen's crew has been tasked with overseeing this highly-anticipated matchup. The assignment has sparked curiosity among fans and media alike, as they question the criteria and process behind referee assignments in the NFL.

Seeking clarification, inquiries have been made to the league regarding the timing and methodology of these assignments. Ideally, it is hoped that all 18 weeks of assignments would be determined prior to the start of the season. This would not only enhance travel efficiency and planning but also ensure a fair distribution of officiating duties.

Traditionally, referee performance has only come into question during the postseason. Barring any egregious errors leading to dismissal during the regular season, officials and their crews are theoretically eligible for any regular-season game, regardless of its significance or when it is scheduled.

Brad Allen, however, has garnered a reputation for his recent controversial calls. One particular incident that drew widespread attention was the two-point conversion snafu that occurred during a Saturday night game. Allen was criticized for allegedly mishandling the situation when approached by three different linemen from the Detroit Lions, confusing the Dallas Cowboys as to which player was eligible to catch the pass. In addition, his crew also failed to correctly identify a key tripping foul, misattributing the penalty to the Cowboys rather than the Lions.

This is not the first time Allen's crew has come under scrutiny for missed penalties. In a Sunday night game, they failed to penalize the Green Bay Packers for blatant interference against the Kansas City Chiefs during the final drive. Such incidents have led many to question Allen's suitability for high-stakes games and to doubt his likelihood of officiating any playoff games this season.

While Allen's assignment to the Steelers-Ravens game has surprised many, it is crucial to note that, as a referee, he remains eligible in theory to officiate any regular-season game. It is possible that his assignment was determined before the game was scheduled as a standalone prime-time event.

As the countdown to the Steelers-Ravens clash begins, all eyes will be on referee Brad Allen and his crew. Fans and players alike will be hoping for fair and consistent officiating, without any controversial calls that potentially influence the outcome of this highly-competitive matchup.