Associated PressThis season marks the permanent implementation of the NFL’s one-year trial with the new kickoff regulation, which the league thinks will result in a greater rise in the rate of returns.
For this season, the league also authorized modifications to the overtime rule, increased replay assistance, and made a few minor technical adjustments. These were on show Thursday night during the Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers exhibition opener, which also included the NFL’s Hawk-Eye virtual measuring system, which replaced the traditional chains used to determine first downs.
In 2024, the league tried the so-called dynamic kickoff in an attempt to increase returns and make the play safer. It is anticipated that more kicks will be in play and more returns will result from the owners’ vote in April to make the alteration permanent and move touchbacks from the 30 to the 35 on kicks that reach the end zone on the fly.
The tush push play that Philadelphia employed so well to win the Super Bowl the previous season remained unchanged.
Some of the new regulations that will be implemented are explained here.
What s new with the kickoff?
The league was largely happy with the 2024 experimental kickoff, which reduced the number of injuries on what had been the most dangerous play in the game and increased the percentage of kickoff returns from a record-low 21.8% in 2023 to 32.8% last season.
By putting the covering defenders and blockers close together, the rule made kickoffs more resemble scrimmage plays and prevented the high-speed collisions that had led to so many injuries during the play. According to the league, the number of concussions on returns decreased by 43%, and lower-body injuries were significantly decreased.
Because the touchback wasn’t harsh enough last season, numerous teams continued to choose to kick the ball in the end zone. Only 2.4 yards separated the average starting field position on a touchback from the average beginning position following returns, which was 27.6 yards.
The league predicts that by shifting the touchback to the 35, the return rate would climb to roughly 60% to 70%, and long returns will also grow in proportion, enhancing the game’s excitement.
A minor adjustment to the return team’s blockers’ permitted lineup in the setup zone was also approved by the league, which may result in lengthier returns.
Including Detroit’s lost fumble on the first kick, there were seven returns on the nine kickoffs in Thursday night’s game. One kick was seen at the 40 and went for a touchback, while another failed to make it to the landing zone in the air.
How about onside kicks?
Due to the altered formation, teams will still have to announce whether they plan to attempt an onside kick. However, since Kansas City had to kick deep in the last minute of the third quarter in the Super Bowl, trailing teams will now be able to try one before the fourth quarter begins.
In an effort to boost the rate of recovery from roughly 6% over the previous three seasons to at least 10%, coverage players will also be permitted to line up one yard closer.
How will overtime change?
In order to make regular season overtime more like the postseason, the league accepted a proposal that would give both teams an opportunity to retain the ball, even if the team having the ball initially scores a touchdown.
In 1974, the NFL introduced a 15-minute sudden death session that concluded on any score, along with regular season overtime. A modified sudden death rule was added in 2010 that required a touchdown on the first possession to finish the game right away rather than just a field goal. Both the regular season and the playoffs were subject to that.
In 2017, overtime was reduced to just 10 minutes during the regular season. In 2022, a regulation modification for the playoffs limited both teams’ scoring options to even with a touchdown on the first possession.
Since winning in overtime on an initial drive touchdown was made simpler by the better kickoff field position, that will now be the case during the regular season.
Sportradar reports that six out of the 16 overtime games played during the previous season concluded on an opening-drive touchdown, setting a record for the most overtime games played on the first drive since the rule change was implemented in 2010.
According to Sportradar, teams that won the overtime toss had a 75% overall winning percentage the previous season and a.606 winning percentage in overtime when it was reduced to 10 minutes.
Teams may decide to go for two and a win if they match an opening-drive touchdown with one of their own as there may not be time for another possession if the league maintains the 10-minute overtime period rather than extending it back to 15 minutes as Philadelphia first suggested.
Replay assist
In order to overturn objective calls in cases where there was unmistakable proof that a foul had not been committed, the NFL extended its replay assist system. Facemask penalties, horse-collar tackles, tripping, and whether there was forceful contact to the head or neck area could all be called. If video proved the defender made contact with the ball, replay may also reverse a running-into-the-kicker or roughing-the-kicker penalty.
In recent years, the league has implemented replay assist to reverse glaring mistakes on things like whether a pass was caught or where the ball should be located, all without the referee having to halt play for a review.
According to the Competition Committee, there is no interest in permitting replay assistants to call penalties for plays that on-field officials miss.
Other changes
Referees will now utilize a virtual measuring device to decide first downs rather than the chains. The referees who physically spot the ball and mark the line to gain with chains will still be in place.
Following a 10-yard rush by Craig Reynolds of Detroit in the second quarter, that was originally seen on Thursday night. Instead of the chains entering the field, everyone watched the video board to see that Reynolds had the first down when the referees halted play for a measurement.
A few procedural guidelines pertaining to injured reserves were modified. When rosters are trimmed to 53 players, teams can designate two players to return from injured reserve rather than later. Additionally, two more return from IR designations will be given to playoff clubs.
