Rule changes in the NFL can be both a good and a bad thing. Some rules are explicitly designed for player safety, While others are meant to enhance the game. The occasional bad calls and controversial no-calls cause frustration among fans, and the National Football League is always looking for ways to improve the game.
This year, the NFL has elected to add two new rule changes for the upcoming 2023 season, according to Football Operations. The first rule change involves instant replay reversal.
Instant Replay Reversal Rule
""New for 2023, when an instant replay decision results in a reversal under 2:00, the play clock will be reset to :40 instead of :25; unless another rule requires otherwise, such as when there is also a :10 runoff, in which case the play clock will be reset to :30.Football Operations
Additionally, inside 2:00, reversing from a ruling with a stopped clock to one with a running clock requires either a :10 second runoff or a charged team timeout.""
For this rule, if the officials look at something and decide to change the call on the field the play clock will be reset to the full 40 seconds. this is opposed to the 25 seconds that they previously received. This rule will only apply when the game is under the two-minute mark of regulation.
Failed Fourth-Down Conversions Rule
""All failed fourth-down conversions will now be an automatic booth review, similar to other turnover situations. Head coaches are prohibited from challenging a failed fourth-down conversion.Football Operations
However, successful fourth-down conversions still require a coach to challenge unless they occur inside the two-minute warning or during overtime.""
The fourth down conversion rule adds a new element to the game. This means that every time a team elects to go for it on fourth down, the play will be reviewed. Most of the time, the result may be obvious. However, in some cases -- like running plays on 4th-and-inches -- this review will come in handy.
With this rule, head coaches cannot challenge the failed conversion on fourth down. However, coaches will have the option of challenging successful fourth-down conversions.
These are the only two rule changes in the NFL for the upcoming 2023 season. We are sure these will come into play often, and it will be interesting to see if these rules ultimately benefit the game. For now, we will have to take a 'wait and see' approach.