2017 Playing Rules Proposals
1 By Philadelphia; Gives additional protections for long snappers on kick plays.
2. By Philadelphia; Prohibits the “leaper” block attempt on field goal and extra point plays.
3. By Philadelphia; Expands the “crown of helmet” foul to include “hairline” part of helmet.
4. By Philadelphia; Amends the challenge system by granting a third challenge if a club is
successful on at least one of its initial two challenges, and expands reviewable plays outside
of two minutes of each half.
5. By Washington; Eliminates the limit of three total challenges per team per game and
eliminates the requirement that a team be successful on each of its first two challenges in
order to be awarded a third challenge.
6. By Washington; Moves the line of scrimmage to the 20-yard line for any touchback where
the free kick travels through the uprights.
7. By Buffalo and Seattle; Permits a coach to challenge any officials’ decision except scoring
plays and turnovers.
8. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the rule that disqualifies a player who is
penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.
9. By Competition Committee; Changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting
from a free kick to the 25-yard line for one year only.
10. By Competition Committee; Reduces the length of preseason and regular season overtime
periods to 10 minutes.
11. By Competition Committee; Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player
protection.
12. By Competition Committee; Makes crackback blocks prohibited by a backfield player who
is in motion, even if he is not more than two yards outside the tackle when the ball is
snapped.
13. By Competition Committee; Replaces the sideline replay monitor with a hand-held device
and authorizes designated members of the Officiating department to make the final decision
on replay reviews.
14. By Competition Committee; Makes it Unsportsmanlike Conduct to commit multiple fouls
during the same down designed to manipulate the game clock.
15. By Competition Committee; Makes actions to conserve time illegal after the two-minute
warning of either half.
