All articles tagged with #kickoff
A new CTE study, amplified by the New York Times, underscores the ongoing brain-injury debate in football and could bolster moves to shift the kickoff touchback from the 35- to the 30-yard line to reduce high‑impact collisions, though living-diagnosis limitations mean participation in football at all levels is unlikely to change significantly in the near term.
New York Jets visit Pittsburgh for Week 2 of the 2026 preseason at Acrisure Stadium on Friday, Aug. 21, with a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff. The Jets are 0-1 and the Steelers 1-0. TV coverage is KDKA-TV and NFL Network, with Steelers radio on WDVE-FM 102.5 and WBGG-AM 970. Several players are listed as inactive or injured with statuses uncertain until kickoff, and the odds list the Steelers as +1.5.
Hall of Fame kicker Adam Vinatieri recalls chasing Herschel Walker on a 1996 Cowboys kickoff—an improbable sprint that earned him respect from teammates and remains a standout highlight as he becomes the third kicker inducted into Canton.
The England-Mexico World Cup Round of 16 in Mexico City may start at noon local time instead of 6 p.m. due to storm risk, per BBC and local outlets; FIFA has yet to confirm. In the U.S., Fox networks are slated to show the game at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, with potential ripple effects on scheduling for other matches, and FIFA reserves the right to reschedule. Mexico remains unbeaten; England’s form has been variable.
The NFL approved a rule change to remove the incentive to kick out of bounds on kickoffs from the 50-yard line; if the ball lands in the end zone or goes out of bounds, the receiving team will take possession at its own 20, not at the 25, ending the previous vulnerability created by the 2024 kickoff alignment.
The NFL’s Competition Committee floated a rule from the 50-yard line: if a kickoff lands in the end zone or goes out of bounds, the receiving team would start at its own 20, replacing the former 25 option. This reduces the possible starting spots after a kickoff to 20, 35, or 40, aiming to simplify outcomes and decisions for kickoffs from the 50.
The NFL Competition Committee is considering a rule change to permit onside kicks at any time, regardless of game score. Previously teams could only declare an onside kick when trailing and in the fourth quarter (a provision eliminated last year). If 24 of 32 teams vote in favor, the rule would become official.
Live coverage of Super Bowl LX between the Seahawks and Patriots includes inactives and player notes, a torrent of preview pieces (crazy facts, historical safeties, rematches, expert predictions, and MVP chatter), plus fans on-site updates and kickoff timing with pregame schedule and betting odds.
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 opening kickoff of Texans vs. Steelers produced a rare touchback to the 20-yard line after Steelers returner Jaylen Warren touched the ball in the landing zone before it crossed the goal line; possession wasn’t considered complete until he had two feet in the end zone, illustrating how the landing-zone rule can yield a touchback rather than a safety and how ball contact with a player, not just the ground, affects spot.
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.