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What are NFL’s lateral pass rules and when did it become legal?

The NFL has a handful of written guidelines when it comes to laterals. For players, Sunday introduced a new cardinal rule: Don’t do what Jakobi Meyers did.

Four years after losing the “Miracle in Miami,” the New England Patriots tried their own hand at lateraling the ball and saw catastrophic results. Tied 24-24 on the last play of regulation, running back Rhamondre Stevenson took a handoff at his own 45-yard line. After running well into Las Vegas Raiders territory, he pitched the ball to Meyers.