Massive Rule Changes Could Affect Buffalo Bills This Season

The NFL Competition Committee votes every year in the offseason on rules to make the game better.  They have some rule changes proposed for next season.

The game of football has changed a lot over the last couple of years.  Every year the rules are examined and then the committee votes on the ones they believe will make the game better.  Whether that means they're making it safer for the players or a better experience for the fans, they're trying to just make it better all around.  Those rules are sent as proposals and then voted on at the owner's meetings.  This year, those meetings happen next week.

This year some of the biggest changes include rules dealing with the kickoff (again) and replay assist.

Kickoff rule changes

Last year the NFL implemented a brand new kickoff where players were stationary until the kick returner caught the ball.  They were also much further up the field to avoid such big collisions with players who were running full speed in opposite directions.

This year, they've agreed that it will make more sense to move the kickoff back to the 35-yard line to encourage more returns.  It does get kind of boring when kicks sail into (or through) the end zone every time for a touchback.

Replay assist changes

Last year you may have noticed several plays that were quickly changed by "replay assist."  While there are referees on the field, there are also referees who are watching off the field and get access to immediate replay.  They were allowed to call down to the refs on the field and change calls immediately.

This year, they're proposing that the replay assist refs can change a call when a flag is thrown.  However, they cannot change a play if a penalty is missed.  So for example, if a ball is spotted incorrectly, the replay assist ref can change it.  If a flag is thrown for roughing the passer or unnecessary roughness and there wasn't any, that flag can be reversed from the booth.  The goal is to cover “objective aspects of a play and/or to address game administration issues when clear and obvious video evidence is present.”

If the rules pass at the owner's meetings, they will then be changed for next season.  To see all of the rule proposals, click here.