SAN FRANCISCO — Get ready for more two-point conversions next season.
The NFL competition committee’s extra-point proposal passed at the NFL Spring Meeting, moving the attempts back from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line, making it a 33-yard kick. Two-point conversions will remain at the two-yard line.
The defense now can return an extra-point or two-point attempt, and any defensive score will count for two points. The new rule is in place for one year, then the NFL can either revise or extend it.
The New England Patriots also proposed a change to the extra point. Their proposal wouldn’t allow the defense to score.
The rule was passed to make extra points a more competitive play. NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino said in a news conference regarding the change that 99.5 percent of extra points from the 2-yard line were converted last season. The NFL tested kicking from the 15-yard line during the preseason, and 94.3 percent of attempts were converted.
If a penalty is assessed on an extra point or two-point conversion, the offensive team is allowed to change their decision. A defensive penalty would move a two-point conversion to the 1-yard line.
The rule passed 30 to 2 with only the Washington Redskins’ and Oakland Raiders’ owners preferring competing extra-point proposals.
Thumbnail photo via Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images
