
Seahawks-49ers playoff showdown kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday
The Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional playoff at Lumen Field with a 5 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Jan. 17, as Seattle looks to advance.
All articles tagged with #kickoff

The Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional playoff at Lumen Field with a 5 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Jan. 17, as Seattle looks to advance.

The Bears' kickoff out of bounds gave the Lions good field position, leading to a quick 60-yard touchdown drive and highlighting special teams mistakes early in the NFL season.

The NFL has approved several major rule changes for the 2024 season, including allowing coaches a third replay challenge, penalizing the offense for major fouls on turnover plays, banning hip-drop tackles, and implementing new kickoff rules similar to those used in the XFL. Additionally, replay can now be used to overturn rulings on quarterback downs and game clock expirations, while the trade deadline has been moved to the Tuesday after Week 9 games and teams have expanded flexibility with designated for return transactions and injured reserve designations.

NFL owners have approved a new hybrid kickoff rule at the Annual League Meeting, with a 29-3 vote, aiming to revitalize the kickoff play while prioritizing player safety. The rule features new alignments for both kicking and receiving units, with a "landing zone" triggering action off the kickoff. Kickoffs will remain at the 35-yard line, but the remaining 10 players on the kicking unit will line up at the opposing team's 40-yard line. The rule also includes changes to penalties on scoring plays and kickoff scenarios, and will lead to a tweak in onside kicks. The new rule is in place for the 2024 season and is subject to renewal in 2025, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell emphasizing the potential for future adjustments based on evaluation during the season.

NFL team owners unanimously approved a rule banning the hip-drop tackle, citing player safety concerns and the potential for serious injuries. The new rule will result in a 15-yard penalty and possible fines for players who violate it. Additionally, teams will now receive a third challenge following one successful challenge, and a new kickoff rule proposal, inspired by spring leagues like the XFL, was discussed but not voted on.

NFL owners passed new playing rules including a ban on the hip-drop tackle and a modification to the challenge system proposed by the Detroit Lions. They are still debating an overhaul to the league’s kickoff rules, with a proposal similar to the XFL's rules. The purpose of the change is to increase the number of returns while limiting high-speed collisions. Additionally, owners approved the enforcement of a major foul by the offense prior to a change of possession in a situation where there are fouls by both teams.

The NFL has banned the swivel hip-drop tackle due to safety concerns, with the technique resulting in a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down. The decision received unanimous approval from owners, but the NFL Players Association expressed disappointment, citing concerns about enforcement and increased penalties. Additionally, discussions are ongoing regarding potential modifications to the kickoff play to increase returns while reducing concussion risk, with the proposed changes aiming to maintain the impact of special teams in the game.

The NFL has released a tweaked kickoff proposal, which includes changes for kicks that fall short of the landing zone and out of bounds. The next drive will start on the receiving team’s 30 for certain situations, and 25 yards from the spot of the kick for others. Possession for a safety kick that fails to reach the landing zone will begin 30 yards from the spot of the kick, and more tweaks are possible as the owners consider the proposal.

The NFL is considering a dramatic change to the kickoff, aiming to increase the frequency of returns to avoid catastrophic injuries rather than just limiting concussions. The concern is not just about concussions, but about high-speed collisions that can lead to serious neck injuries. The league's goal is to reduce the space and speed of the play to minimize the risk of catastrophic injuries, which could have long-term implications for the future of the sport.

The NFL is considering major rule changes, including banning the "hip-drop tackle" with 15-yard penalties and post-game fines, which has sparked concerns about subjective calls and potential injuries for defenders. Additionally, the league is contemplating kickoff rule changes inspired by the XFL, aiming to reduce concussions and encourage more returns by altering spacing for kicking and return teams, eliminating fair catches, and penalizing touchbacks. These proposed changes could significantly impact the fabric of the NFL and player safety.

The NFL competition committee has proposed notable rule changes for the 2024 season, including a 15-yard personal foul for hip-drop tackles and a new kickoff rule based on the XFL kickoff. Seattle Seahawks' general manager, John Schneider, initially skeptical, now supports the changes, emphasizing the importance of player safety and maintaining the excitement of the game. The proposed changes will be voted on by team owners, with 24 out of 32 votes needed for implementation.

The NFL's competition committee and teams have proposed 10 rule changes for the 2024 season, including outlawing the "hip-drop tackle" and revising kickoff rules to increase returns and reduce injuries. The proposed changes will be voted on during the annual league meeting, with the most controversial being the ban on the hip-drop tackle, opposed by the NFLPA. The kickoff rule changes aim to make the play safer and more entertaining, with a focus on increasing returns and reducing collision speeds.

The NFL has proposed a 15-yard penalty for the 'hip-drop tackle' and a radical change to the kickoff, with the new rule modeled after spring football leagues. The proposed kickoff rule change aims to increase the number of returns and eliminate touchbacks, while the hip-drop tackle penalty has sparked opposition from the NFL Players Association due to concerns about confusion and officiating. These proposals will be presented to owners at the league meetings later this month, along with eight other rule changes.

The NFL is considering significant changes to kickoffs and onside kicks, including a new rule that would only allow teams to attempt an onside kick when behind in the fourth quarter and with prior verification of their intentions. Other proposed changes include altering the setup zone for kickoffs and adjusting touchback rules. The league hopes these changes will increase the frequency and success rates of onside kicks, potentially leading to more late-game comebacks and making the kickoff game more exciting while reducing injury rates.

The proposed kickoff rule change for the NFL would see all eleven members of the kicking team line up on the opponent’s 40-yard line, aiming to reduce high-speed collisions and revive the kickoff as a must-see play. Possession would start at the 35 if the ball goes into the end zone, at the 40 if it doesn't reach the 20, and at the 20 if it lands inside the 20 and rolls into the end zone. The rule change could eliminate the need for a kickoff specialist and introduce new strategic possibilities, but its potential impact and unintended consequences remain uncertain.