Around the NFL: Divisional Round edition

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by FrenchSkin

This one doesn't make any sense to me. Reverse touchback ? Where does that come from ?

The issue with wanting to change just one rule is that the rules have been written with some sort of consistency and coherence. I'm not against changing rules (hence the discussion last week about Apke's punt, I think that's an example of a badly written rule), but you can't do it without considering the overall logic of the ruleS.

How about just coaching guys to situational awareness and protecting the ball ?Ball security is central in this sport.

While logical consistency (what I think you are arguing for) is important, so is competitive fairness.

tldr: I don't see the competitive fairness of giving the ball to the defensive team at the 20. a better rule is the ball is placed at the one with the down determined by the previous play

The rule as it is written is punitive to the offense without basis. On punts, kickoffs or other implementations the offense is surrendering the ball and that makes sense. In the case of a forced or even worse, an unforced fumble, the offense receives a punishment, and the defense gains a reward, that is greatly exaggerated by the demarcation of the endzone boundaries. In the field of play a fumble is ruled for the offense at the spot it went out of bounds.

I think the logical consistency for fumbling out of bounds in the endzone should be a pass interference in the endzone. In both cases the offense cannot be given the ball where they would receive it in the field of play, so they are given it at the 1 yard line. So this is how I would change the rule.

For a fumble out of the opponents endzone by an offensive player:
1) the ball will be spotted at the 1 yard line.
2) the upcoming down and possession will be determined by the spot of the fumble and the last down played.
examples:
a) on any down the offensive player passes the first down marker at the 3 and fumbles out of the endzone.
Offense retains possesion with 1st down at the 1
b) on 1st, 2nd or 3rd and goal to go, the offensive player fumbles out of the endzone
Offense retains possesion and the down is the next successive down with the ball placed the 1
c) on 4th and goal to go, the offensive player fumbles out of the endzone.
Defensive team takes over with 1st and 10 at their 1 yard line.