The NFL announced three rule changes and four bylaw amendments ahead of the 2018 season at this year’s annual meeting. Let’s break them down.
Proposed by Competition Committee; Makes permanent the playing rule that changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line.
This limits the number of kick returns, but the Patriots have already adjusted by having Stephen Gostkowski drop the ball by the goal line with a little more loft. This buys the Patriots a yard or two every drive because their coverage unit is so good and it theoretically adds up to a few points over the course of the season.