RULES CHANGES
Celebrations — The rules are now relaxed on celebrations, giving players more room to have fun in celebrating big plays. Group celebrations are allowed now, and players can use the football as a prop. It isn’t anything goes, though. Anything the league determines is violent, sexually inappropriate, or taunting will constitute a penalty.
Shorter overtimes — The length of the overtime period has been reduced from 15 to 10 minutes. It’s still, however, at 15 minutes for the postseason.
Replay reviews — No more sideline monitors for officials. They’ll now review plays on hand-held devices, and designated members of the NFL officiating department in New York will be authorized to make the final call on replay reviews.
You’re grounded — Defensive players can no longer run and jump over offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage in order to block a field goal or extra point.
Touchbacks — Like last season, a touchback resulting from a kickoff or safety kick will be placed at the 25-yard line, as opposed to the 20. Once again, the rule is not permanent, but on a year-to-year basis.
Two strikes, you’re out — If a player is penalized twice in the same game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, he’s automatically ejected. Those fouls include throwing a punch or kick (with or without making contact), use of threatening or abusive language, and any act that constitutes taunting. The league tried this rule on a temporary basis last season, and now has made it permanent.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Quarterback protection — Officials will be particularly attune to players trying to make forcible contact to a quarterback’s knee area or below. Driving the helmet, shoulder, forearm or chest into the knee or below of a quarterback is a foul. It’s the defender’s responsibility to avoid this kind of contact. Once the quarterback tucks the ball and takes a running posture, or moves outside the pocket and throws on the run, he no longer gets protection from those types of hits.
Illegal hits — Officials have been advised to be especially aware of illegal blindside blocks, “launching” — a player leaving his feet to make forcible contact by using his helmet — and unnecessary hits away from the play.
Downfield contact — The competition committee is looking to further clarify the rules involving pass interference, defensive holding, and illegal contact. So officials will pay particular attention to actions coming off the line of scrimmage and at the top of pass routes, including defensive players grabbing receivers, or receivers pushing off to create separation.