During a Week 15 game that was more for draft position than anything, the Tennessee Titans rolled out an unusual tactic on the final play of the game. The Titans were trailing the Jets 16-11, and they were obviously going to attempt to score a touchdown on a series of laterals. To get more skill…
For player safety and exhibition purposes, there are restrictions on formations, pass coverage, and rushing the quarterback or kicker.
Week 11: Lions at Cardinals (video) An unusual set of circumstances collided on an Arizona punt, and, depending on the ruling, it is a spectacular play for one team and a missed opportunity for the other. With the punt headed for the end zone, Cardinals special teamer Justin Bethel grabs the ball before it goes…
The kicking game has become more complex to officiate over the past few years, even before the ball is snapped or kicked. The NFL, citing player safety, has developed rules to outlaw unbalanced lines in free kick and scrimmage kick formation. Free Kicks Gone are the days where the kicking team can line everyone up…
Week 5: Cardinals at Broncos Broncos tight end Julius Thomas was flagged for a 15-yard illegal chop block on Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell. Campbell suffered a strained MCL and will be out three to four weeks. His coach, Bruce Arians, called it “the dirtiest play I’ve seen in the National Football League” and said…
A lofty punt by Cowboys punter Chris Jones appeared to scrape the bottom of the massive video screen hovering over the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. When the video board was installed in 2009, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said it would be unlikely to be hit by a punted ball. In the stadium’s…
The Pro Bowl will undergo radical changes this season in an attempt to add variety to a typically dull game. The league, based on their promotional spots for the game, would like us to highlight the fact that this game is “unconferenced.” The NFL Network carried a live draft of the all-star pool to set…
AFC Divisional Playoff: Colts at Patriots When the snap sails over the punter’s head and out the back of the end zone, all of us have the same first reaction: safety. However this season we saw many instances of bizarre rulings, rare rule applications, and rule misapplications, so now more than ever we are beginning…
How well do you know your rules when it comes to downing punts? Take the Football Zebras rules quiz to see how well you do.
Player safety must trump exceptions to the rule During the Ravens-Steelers Thanksgiving night football game, the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell was lunging toward the goal line when he was hit with a devastating blow from the Ravens, knocking his helmet off. Bell maintained consciousnesses long enough to fall across the goal line with the ball. The officials…