NFL owners voted Tuesday to move back extra-point kicks from the 2-yard line to the 15, as well as to allow defensive players to score on turnovers during a two-point conversion attempt.
The move aimed to make the game more challenging, the Associated Press reported. According to an NFL report, extra-point kickers were successful 99.6% of the time last season, missing just five attempts out of 1,267.
Play will also now continue after a turnover during a two-point conversion attempt, the AP reported. A team's defense may now score two points for returning the ball to the opposite end zone. Previously, the play was called dead if possession changed during a two-point conversion attempt.
Together, the changes may inspire more coaches to go for the two-point conversion over the extra point, Niners Nation suggested.
The owners approved the modifications 30–2, with Washington and Oakland voting no. The changes will be reviewed after a year.
Former NFL players were quick to weigh in on the changes.
Omg a rule that the defense can benefit from thank you Lord #NFL https://t.co/T1aS1dkX9u
Former kicker Jay Feely said he saw more potential of injuries to the offensive line.
What did the NFL really accomplish? It's still nearly automatic (90%vs 99%) but greater risk of injury to Oline https://t.co/PgEpxEE3CT
According to the NFL Network, the change will keep a high level of accuracy, but the attempts will be less of a sure thing.
In 2014, extra point kicks were 99.5% accurate. In preseason experiment for 2 weeks with snap from the 15-yard line: 94.3% accurate
And for those who doubted the impact of the rule change, Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano had a suggestion to keep things interesting.
Should have changed the extra point to a 50 yard field goal. That would have been more interesting 😎.