NFL Changes Extra Point Rule For 2015 [Breaking]

NFL owners have approved the competition committee’s proposal on the rule for extra points.

The NFL announced that the extra point will now be kicked from the 15-yard-line, making it a 33-yard field goal. Two point conversions will remain at the 2-yard-line, though. The rule change also gives the defense the opportunity to return fumbled or intercepted attempted two-point conversions for two points of their own.

The rule approved by the NFL was one of three proposals considered by owners Tuesday at the NFL’s spring league meeting in San Francisco, California.

In the past, extra points in the NFL were snapped from the two-yard-line, and the kicks have been lacking in drama, with a few exceptions.

Kickers are currently more accurate than any other time in NFL history, making 99 percent of the kicks snapped from the two-yard-line, so this rule change may have little affect on how teams approach post-touchdown scoring attempts. Nevertheless, this is certainly an interesting change for on the NFL’s most boring actions.

Other suggestions were made by Philadelphia and New England, but the NFL decided to favor the committee’s recommendation.

The Patriots proposed that the extra point be snapped from the 15-yard-line or two point conversion attempts to be tried from the 2-yard-line.

The Eagles also proposed an extra point that is snapped from the 15-yard-line, but instead suggested that a two-point conversion attempt be moved to the 1-yard line, giving more incentive to go for two. Philadelphia also proposed that the defense be able to return two-point conversion attempts that result in turnovers to the opposite end zone. Safeties would also be play under this scenario.

Some of the earlier proposals that were not voted on by NFL owners included a “bonus field goal” from 50 yards away and a required two-point conversion attempt after an automatic seven point award for a touchdown.

The competition committee used parts of the Patriots’ and Eagles’ idea to create the proposal that was voted on today.

The proposal passed by a 30-2 margin. Washington and Oakland were the only teams to reject the proposal, first reported by Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports NFL.

Bill Belichick of the Patriots first pushed for reform in 2011, when he called the extra point a “non-play” because of the ease of conversion compared to other generations.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gradually began to agree with Belichick, and embraced the same belief in January, 2014.

This step may the be the first of many adjustments to make NFL football more entertaining in the years to come.