Buffalo Bills Make History In Season Opening Win

The Buffalo Bills started the 2024-25 season with a win over the Arizona Cardinals at Highmark Stadium and in the process did something no other team in NFL history has ever done.

READ MORE: WILL THE BILLS WIN MORE THAN 10 GAMES THIS SEASON? CHECK OUT OUR SEASON PREDICTIONS. 

The NFL has launched a new kickoff system that lines up the kicking team several yards ahead of the kicker. Because of the new formation, when the ball falls off the tee due to wind, the kicking team is allowed to have a 12th player on the field to hold the ball for the kick.

That player then has to run off the field as soon as the ball is kicked.

Here is the rule according to the NFL

• If conditions cause ball to fall off tee twice, then kicker will be allowed to use kicking stick to keep the ball in place. The closest covering official will pick up the stick immediately after the kick. A team can opt to use a player to hold the ball instead of a kicking stick. That player must vacate the field immediately after holding the kick.

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So for the first time ever the Buffalo BIlls had 12 players on the field legally when Tyler Bass kicked off during windy conditions at Highmark Stadium.

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