NFL considering replacing the onside kick with 4th and 15 rule
doubledragon
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This XFL 4th and 15 rule instead of an onside kick appears to be growing some legs, the NFL is reportedly considering it.
Why the NFL is considering XFL's fourth-and-15 replacement for onside kicks following early XFL season success
The NFL has grappled with the idea of replacing onside kick attempts as recently as 2021, when the Eagles proposed a rule change that would get rid of the attempt and instead let the "kicking" team go for it on a fourth-and-15 from their own 25-yard line.
The recently reestablished XFL has incorporated that rule in its 2023 season, and so far it has seen solid results. In Week 1, A.J. McCarron and the St. Louis Battlehawks completed a 15-3 fourth-quarter comeback with under two minutes left with the help of the rule, creating a thrilling finish in what would ultimately be a Battlehawks win.
The NFL is reportedly considering revisiting the rule after those early returns, as it looks like a viable way to spark comebacks. Last season, NFL teams were 3 of 56 on onside kick attempts, continuing the longstanding trend of onside kicks being exceptionally difficult to recover.
The idea is to create more comebacks in a high-risk high-reward scenario. This rule is nearly identical to the one the Eagles proposed two years ago, as the XFL has taken it and run with it.
Comments
The 4th and 15 can only be attempted in the fourth quarter.
The 4th and 15 attempt is a replacement to the onside kick attempt.
In essence, teams will start from their own 25-yard line with one 4th and 15 play. If they convert it, the drives continues as normal. If they fail, the other team gets the ball from the opposing 25-yard line.
The finer points of the NFL's proposition are far from ironed out of course, but in the XFL a regular onside kick can be attempted at any point. It's not until the fourth quarter that this version can be attempted.
The Battlehawks ran this with success in Week 1 of the XFL season.
I dont like it.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
In 2022 there were 56 attempted onside kicks and only three were successful, two of them against Cleveland. No wonder they fired their special teams coach!!
I see this rule as a gimmick that should be rejected. The rules have already been changed enough to effectively eliminate one of the more exciting plays in the NFL, the kickoff return. Leave the onside kick alone.
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The problem is that they changed the onside kick rules so as to almost eliminate it's chances of success under the guise of player safety. So now the onside kick has become as unsuccessful as the old extra point was successful.
I don't like it at all
This sounds as bad as the NBA thinking about changing their OT format to a target score,like they've used in recent AS games.
Just leave then both the way that they are. That 4th & 15 may work in the XFL because its the XFL. I guess this article did answer the question "Whatever happened to AJ McCarron?" lol
Eric
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I wouldn't like that either.
I don't like it at all.
It reminds me of an exhibition college all star game I saw back in the 1960s. They had a rule that if a team was behind, they got the back via a kick off every time they scored. Sure enough the team that was behind got the ball three or four straight times and took the lead after trailing by several touchdowns.
This ignores the problem a defense faces if it is on the field constantly. They get winded and worn out, so nationally scores come easier.
The onside kick is useless now. I want to see something replace it or rules to make it more likely to succeed. I think the previous version of the onside kick was successful ~20% of the time, so they need to figure out something that has a similar success rate.
Robb
Need the "Make it - Take it" rule from pickup basketball games.
I would like to see changes to the onside kick to make them easier but not crazy about this alternative. Don't hate it but would rather see something else.
Love it! High risk, high reward, adds excitement!!!!!!!!! I like change in a positive way like this. Most folks hate change, we disagree.