NFL may push touchbacks up to the 35 yard line

[Charles Romes]

If they want returns just have them kick off from the 30 or 27.5. Putting a premium on kicking will grow the game. All the teams will need to be scouring the world soccer pitches for their kicking needs. 

[sven233]

46 minutes ago, billsbackto81 said:

So basically one 25 yard play will put you in FG range? 🤣🤣🤣

 

Yes....which is why they are doing it.  They get the best of both worlds with this.....

 

1.  TB - Teams get the ball at the 35 which absolutely will help teams score more points.  Like you said....1 good play and you can be in FG range.

2.  RETURNS - This is the main reason they are doing this.  They want more returns in the game.  By moving the line up, they encourage more teams to kick the ball in play hoping to stop teams before the 35. 

 

There were still too many teams just willing to bash the ball into the endzone last season.  This should help with that, although I am still not sure it will be enough in key situations.  When push comes to shove, I still think coaches will want to take the unknown out of the game and pound it through the endzone.

 

If they want more kicks in play, the next step will be moving the kicker 5 yards back.  That, coupled with the 35 yard starting position might get the the amount of returns to where they want it.

[SMAKCruiser]

I am honestly tired of all the rule changes.  Leave the touchback at the 20 where it belongs.

[Beast]

 Next up, the defense has to play with 10 men  on the field.

 

The game is becoming so watered down. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Beast

[Big Turk]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfl-to-consider-changes-to-kickoff-including-touchbacks-moving-to-35-yard-line
 

I thought the 30 was too much.  I don’t like this 

 

They are trying to encourage returns not TB's. The 30 wasn't doing it, teams were willing to trade 5 yards for not returning the ball most times.

 

The 35 is a whole different ballgame now.

[Buffalo716]

5 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

They are trying to encourage returns not TB's. The 30 wasn't doing it, teams were willing to trade 5 yards for not returning the ball most times.

 

The 35 is a whole different ballgame now.

Wouldn't the opposite be true... If Touchbacks only put you on the 15 , you would more likely return it 

 

Now at the 35 you'll probably see more willing to take the easy starting field position.. unless it's like a crazy short kick to like the 15-20

Edited 5 hours ago by Buffalo716

[Low Positive]

2 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Wouldn't the opposite be true... If Touchbacks only put you on the 15 , you would more likely return it 

 

Now at the 35 you'll probably see more willing to take the easy starting field position

If a touchback was on the 15, every kickoff would be kicked into the first row. 

[Buffalo716]

3 minutes ago, Low Positive said:

If a touchback was on the 15, every kickoff would be kicked into the first row. 

Ofc lol  but I don't think putting it on the 35 incentivizes more returns 

 

I think it incentivizes more touchbacks

 

There's usually one side of the field at the Ralph that when the wind is blowing you actually can't kick it out of the back really.. when it's windy we have one side that always gets returned and when the wind is at your back it gets booted out the back 

Edited 4 hours ago by Buffalo716

[Low Positive]

Just now, Buffalo716 said:

Ofc lol  but I don't think putting it on the 35 incentivizes more returns 

 

I think it incentivizes more touchbacks

It incentivizes kickers to aim for the "landing zone" instead of kicking it into the endzone. The rule change is all about the kicking team. 

[Buffalo716]

4 minutes ago, Low Positive said:

It incentivizes kickers to aim for the "landing zone" instead of kicking it into the endzone. The rule change is all about the kicking team. 

Well that's true ... But cant a kick land in the landing zone, and roll into the end zone and you still get it at the 20? 

 

So if I'm at the five.. I'll still probably let the ball roll into the end zone... If I'm at the 15 I would probably return

Edited 4 hours ago by Buffalo716

[Dablitzkrieg]

1 hour ago, T.E. said:

Really hope the Bills win the Super Bowl soon so that I can stop watching the NFL altogether. It's now a perversion of a once great game.

Yes, I'm sure you'll stop watching

[TwoFlocksofFury]

1 hour ago, H2o said:

There is enough scoring in the NFL. This is getting ridiculous now. 

Something, something...player safety

[Offside Number 76]

1 hour ago, Low Positive said:

They are trying to create a real incentive for teams to kick short of the goal line to increase the number of returns. They can't find the line between entertainment and player safety. 

 

1 hour ago, Matt_In_NH said:

They want returns.  That will

make that happen.  

Expanding the landing zone or whatever they call that gimmick would be the better move.

[Rew]

Initially was like WTF.  After a bit of thought, this should actually work out.  I felt the 30 was too far.  Some teams agreed.  Far more balls were kicked into a returnable location than prior years.  Kickoff return rate increased 50%, from 22%->33%.  However, many teams still stuck with touchbacks at a 85%+ rate.  Moving it to the 35 should significantly reduce touchbacks.

 

This is an attempt to get closer to "the way it used to be", while still working to preserve player safety.  I'm not sure what the NFL's goal is, but I'm assuming they are working to get kickoff return rates up, then will tweak return rules based on average starting position after teams have a couple of seasons to show how the play is working out.

 

Here is a pretty clear comparison that shows what they are trying to address with the kickoff changes.

 

2003 touchback%:

 https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/kickoff-touchback-pct?date=2004-02-02

2023 touchback%:

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/kickoff-touchback-pct?date=2024-02-12

[Don Otreply]

All kick offs  from the ten yard line, it ain’t rocket surgery…, 

[JerseyBills]

1 hour ago, loveorhatembillsfan4life said:

I actually think this is great and was discussed by coaches last season. I think Sean Payton said even just moving it up five yards will create more returns as teams will now be more reluctant to kick through the end zone.

 

 

 

great point

[RangerDave]

What's  next?  Making the field only 20 yards long instead of 100?  That should increase scoring.  🙄

[JerseyBills]

1 hour ago, wppete said:

Its just getting more ridiculous. Go back to the old rules, this is idiotic. 

Completely agree. Either i stop when the  Bills win a superbowl or when Josh Allen isn’t playing  for the Bills anymore. 

Not a real Bills fan 

[st pete gogolak]

Jesus.  This is absurd.  One first down and you’re in FG position, especially now the best kickers make 60 yarders like extra points. Do away with kickoffs altogether and start on the 20.  Onside “kicks” put it at the 40 with 4th and either 15, 17 or 20.

[Thurman#1]

1 hour ago, Buffalo716 said:

Wouldn't the opposite be true... If Touchbacks only put you on the 15 , you would more likely return it 

 

Now at the 35 you'll probably see more willing to take the easy starting field position.. unless it's like a crazy short kick to like the 15-20

 

 

It's generally the kicking team not the returning team that makes this decision, by kicking it way the hell out of the end zone. 

 

If a TB goes to the 35, we're likely to see kicks that are shorter and higher, landing in the field of  play and forcing returns.