Does the Fumbling In the End Zone Rule Need To Be Changed?

The AFC Divisional playoff game between the Chiefs and Bills featured a fumble in the end zone. Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman lost control of the ball while falling and it was fumbled through and out of the end zone. This play caused many fans to ask, “Does the fumbling in the end zone rule need to be changed?”

Other fans were angry believing that Hardman was down before he lost control of the ball. He was initially ruled as down by contact. However, Buffalo challenged the ruling and after review the ruling was changed. The official said the ball came loose before Hardman was down so it was ruled a fumble and a touchback.

But why would does a fumble through the end zone result in a touchback? Since the defense caused the fumble but didn’t recover it why should it be a touchback? Well because the NFL says so. According to the NFL Rulebook Rule 8 Section 7 Article 3:

When a fumble goes out of bounds in the end zone, the following shall apply:

If a ball is fumbled in the field of play, and goes forward into the opponent’s end zone and over the end line or sideline, a touchback is awarded to the defensive team; or

If a ball is fumbled in a team’s own end zone or in the field of play and goes out of bounds in the end zone, it is a safety, if that team provided the impetus that sent the ball into the end zone (See 11-5-1 for exception for momentum). If the impetus was provided by the opponent, it is a touchback.

Does the Fumbling In the End Zone Rule Need To Be Changed

So there it is in black and white. And if a fan thinks the rule should be changed I wouldn’t suggest holding his or her breath. According to Jonathan Jones of cbssports.com the NFL owners have no interest in changing the rule. He writes:

“The NFL for decades has received rules-change proposals from the competition committee and from its 32-member clubs. Combing through proposals over the past decade, not one team has offered to change the rule. A league source believes no team has ever put forth a proposal.”

But I think that the rule should stay as it is. Right now everything seems to be in favor of the offensive side of the ball. So I say give the defensive side a break and keep this rule in place. They need all the help they can get in today’s NFL.

Other NFL News and Notes

Nfl.com is reporting that the Tennessee Titans plan to hire Brian Callahan as their head coach. Callahan has spent the past five years as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Deebo Samuel did not fracture his shoulder. However, his availability for the NFC Championship game has yet to be determined.

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