SUMMARY
- The controversial rules in the NFL need to change to make the game fair.
- Coaches should be allowed to review every decision.
NFL is undoubtedly one of the most popular football leagues around the planet. Since its beginning in 1920, the league has been able to capture so much light and fame. The sport has given birth to many iconic stars whose gameplay has made the spectators their fans.
However, despite being one of the most popular sports in the world, football has some controversial rules that need to be changed in order to make the game more prominent. Almost all NFL games are packed with thrills and suspense; until the end, no one can predict who will leave the pitch victorious.
However, in some fixtures, due to the controversial rules, the result turned, and the winning team had to leave the field heartbroken. Here is the list of the top five most controversial rules in the NFL that need to be changed.
1. The Tuck Rule
The NFL committee should undoubtedly address the infamous Tuck Rule, which is also rumored to be the reason Tom Brady and the Patriots established their almost unbreakable dynasty. Still, more than 23 years later, no one forgets how this dump rule helped the Patriots build their dynasty.
The rules state that when a player is holding the ball and makes any intentional move that results in losing the ball’s possession when the individual tries to tuck it back into the body, it will be called a fumble. This rule doesn’t make any sense because it is ultimately a mistake from the player.
2. The ground cannot cause a fumble
One of the dumbest rules in the NFL is that a ground cannot cause a fumble. A fan sitting on the ground or watching at home in front of the television with players and coaches always asks why the rule is like that: Why can’t a ground cause a fumble?
A fumble is always a fumble. The rule states a player had the ball in his hand, and the very next moment, it slipped from his hands when he hit the ground, and an opposition player caught it. It doesn’t mean that if the ball goes off the player’s hands when he hits the ground, it will not be counted as an incomplete pass, but the same rule should be posed when he is already in possession.
3. Interference in pass and holding
Pass interference means if a quarterback makes a pass to the wide receiver and the ball gets caught by a defender in between, it is called pass interference. When a defender catches the ball and blocks the pass, it is called pass interference, and the offensive team gets the ball position back, which is a bit unfair.
If the ball is caught by the defender, it is called a foul, but when the receiver gets the ball, he dashes through the defense to score. It should be the same when the defender blocks the ball, but the rule suggests otherwise, which, from the defender’s point of view, is the worst thing.
4. Unnecessary singles out to quarterback
Besides the quarterbacks, there are other multiple players like defensive tackles, wide receivers, running backs, punters, and more, but the most protected species is the quarterback. However, the rules to protect quarterbacks are truly brutal.
When the quarterback runs at full speed, the linebacker should need to chase the player down, but he was not allowed to, like he does for a running back. The defenders can’t chase the quarterback at full pace, and that’s also an unnecessary rule.
5. Coaches cannot review every decision
The coaches should be allowed to challenge and review any decision they think might be wrong by the officials. The reason behind not challenging every decision is that it makes the game longer than usual.
However, this rule must change, as a wrong decision from officials can impact a team’s performance. Therefore, reviewing the decision would help a team to survive and avoid becoming a victim. The NFL should change the above rules as soon as possible to make the game more exciting and honest.
