The new kickoff rules have changed how late-game situations unfold. Teams now have a better chance to quickly set up for a game-winning field goal.
This was evident during a recent Seahawks game. Seattle took a smart timeout after Arizona’s running play, stopping the clock with just 33 seconds left. When Arizona scored and chose to tie the game, the Seahawks had 28 seconds to get their kicker, Jason Myers, ready for a big moment.
Arizona faced a crucial decision on the kickoff. Should they kick it deep and give the Seahawks the 35-yard line? Or should they try a more challenging kick, hoping the coverage team could stop them short of the 35? They opted for a low kick aiming to land inside the 20, but it backfired, leaving Seattle with the ball at the 40-yard line.
With 60 yards to go and 28 seconds on the clock, the Seahawks moved fast. A 22-yard pass from Sam Darnold to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, followed by a four-yard run from Zach Charbonnet, set up a 52-yard field goal for the win. Myers, who had missed a field goal earlier, nailed it this time, sealing the victory.
This situation highlights how essential clock management has become. The Cardinals could have managed their time better before scoring. With a timeout still available, they could have run three more plays, possibly taking more time off the clock and preventing the Seahawks from getting a quick chance to score.
These new rules are shifting strategies in football. As teams adapt, understanding how to manage the clock and make smart decisions could be the key to winning close games.
In fact, according to a recent study by the NFL, teams that effectively manage their timeouts and game clock in the last two minutes are 30% more likely to win games compared to those that don’t (source: NFL Research). As fans, we’ll definitely want to watch how teams evolve with these changes to strategy.
