Reports: NFL Competition Committee Is Of The Opinion To Not Change Fumble Through End Zone

Over the years, this NFL rule has pleased defenses, hurt a number of ball carriers, and generated a great deal of controversy. According to league regulations, a fumble ball into the end zone and out of bounds results in a touchback, giving the other team ownership of the ball.

Reports: NFL Competition Committee Is Of The Opinion To Not Change Fumble Through End Zone

Although this regulation appears to be here to stay, it is disliked by many players and spectators alike. According to Judy Battista of NFL Media, the NFL competition committee reviewed the regulation on Monday and the conversation to amend it did not get very far.

Stephen Jones, an NFL competition committee member and executive vice president of the Dallas Cowboys, stated on Tuesday that the conversation over amending the regulation “died.” The matter was discussed, as NFL Media’s Judy Battista wrote on Monday, so this appeared inevitable. However, the consensus was that ballcarriers should be more cautious while attempting to score because it is an uncommon event.

During the AFC divisional playoff round, one of the noteworthy instances of it this season occurred when Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mecole Hardman fumbled the ball just short of the goal line, giving the Bills possession as it passed through the end zone.

According to reports, the committee feels that the “ball-carrier’s responsibility” is to defend the football near the goal line because the play occurs infrequently.

Since the offense obtains the ball after going out of bounds at any point on the field that isn’t in the end zone, some have claimed that the regulation has an excessively detrimental effect. On the other hand, the opposition team gains possession when a fumble into the end zone goes out of bounds.

A fumble in the end zone should cost more than a fumble anywhere else on the field, according to those who support the current regulation.

Voting on any proposed rule changes takes place over the course of three to four months. According to Bleacher Report, there have been discussions of amending the regulation such that the offense recovers the ball at the site of the fumble or on the opponent’s 15-yard line; however, no concrete action has taken as of yet.

One justification for keeping the regulation as is is because they lack a better way to handle the circumstance.

During the AFC divisional game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, the rule was on full show around the country. Josh Allen and the Bills were able to regain possession after Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman fumbled through the end zone after reaching the ball over the goal line. The Chiefs won the game and ultimately the Super Bowl despite giving up six points instead of winning the possession of the ball.

The regulation was last considered following the 2017 season, which had eight of these plays, according to a source.

“There was some sentiment from clubs and fans that the rule was too punitive against the offense,” a 2018 committee report obtained by CBS Sports reads. “… After much consideration and review of video, the Committee did not believe a rule change was necessary, believing that it is an exciting play that rewards the defense for an offensive error.”

What is the fumble rule in the NFL?

The loss of ball possession by a player is called a fumble. A muff occurs when a player touches a loose ball in an attempt to gain possession but fails. 2. Regardless of whether the fumble is recovered before or after the ball touches the ground, any player on either side may move the ball.

What happens if you fumble in the end zone?

It is a safety if the team that gave the ball the push to go into the end zone is the one who fumbled it in their own end zone or on the field of play and it went out of bounds in the end zone.

Can you recover a fumble in the endzone?

It was devastating and frustrating all at once, mostly because of an NFL rule that defies explanation. That’s the fumble in the end zone rule, of course, which says that any fumble in the end zone that goes out of bounds gives the other team control and results in a touchback.

 

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