NFL and NFL Owners Agree to PAT Change

Photo Credit: Rob Carr / Getty Images

The NFL has officially changed the extra point rules for the upcoming season. PATs (Point after Touchdown) will now be attempted from the 15-yard line. Therefore, an extra point opportunity will be kicked, ultimately, from the 33-yard line.

In addition to the moving the line of scrimmage to the 15-yard line, the NFL owners also have agreed to allow defenses the capability of scoring. In other terms, if there is a bad snap, or alternate mishaps, and the defense recovers, they will be allowed to try and convert for two additional points.

The changes to the PAT were voted by the NFL owners, proposed by the NFL’s competition committee, which resolved in an astounding 30-2 vote that approved of it. The two organizations that did not approve were the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins.

For two-point conversions, the ruling will remain the same, but the defense can return that as well. These rule changes are only subject to the 2015 season; the NFL will have to reevaluate the changes for following seasons to come.

There has been an abundance of questions in regards of the rule change. Mike Garafolo, of FOX Sports 1, made an important note regarding penalties.

Important note: Extra point decisions can change after penalties. (e.g. a defensive penalty on a kick, offense can then go for 2 from the 1)

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 19, 2015

The NFL has mulled officially changing these rules for a while know, and even experimented with it during last season’s preseason.

Last preseason, with these rules in play, eight extra points were missed, while only 141 were attempted. That would make the extra point percentage 94.3%. During the entire 2013 season, only five extra points were missed, out of a whopping 1,321 attempted. That would make the field goal percentage come out to an automatic 99.6% from the preexisting PAT line.

In addition to toying around with the rules in the preseason, the NFL went to further extents during the Pro Bowl game, in which the 2015 Pro Bowl featured narrower field goals.

This decision will affect the game more than many will think. Many will overlook the fact that during the winter, these new extra points will be difficult for most kickers. Originally they would have had to kick a 20-yard chip shot, now, it will be a 33-yard field goal. In addition, teams may look to take their chances with a two-point conversion, as many kickers struggle in the cold. It will be very interesting to see how many teams kick the extra point, before they put their cards on the table and hope for two points.

In the end, the NFL is trying to add more flare to the game. Removing a 99.6% opportunity is exciting as fans and coaches will have to put more thought into each PAT possession.