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Just when it looked like the NFL was about to completely give up on having kickoff returns and Cordarrelle Patterson’s NFL record of nine touchdowns would last forever, at least for a season the excitement will return.
NFL owners voted to change the rules to bring back arguably the most exciting play in the sport. They borrowed many of the XFL rules where it was first introduced. Here are the key components.
- Standard kicks will still begin from the 35-yard.
- The 10 kickoff coverage players will line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line, with five on each side of the field.
- The return team will have at least nine blockers lined up in the – set up zone – between the 30- and 35-yard line with at least seven of those players touching the 35. Up to two returners will be allowed inside the 20.
- Only the kicker and two returners will be allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner inside the 20.
Here is what this will look like.
Now that you know the basics, what might this mean for NFL bettors?
Points Should Rise but How Much?
This is a real unknown because everyone is starting from the same spot. Seeing we have just reached April, every special teams coach will come up with their own ideas of how to make it work to score or set up the offense for points. At the same time try to prevent the other team from scoring. No question there have been 32 NFL calls to find the video of XFL games.
At this juncture, we can only speculate. But here are two aspects to ponder.
First, as is the case with all 32 teams, some head coaches and coaching staff place a greater emphasis on special teams, while others just try not to get hurt by having faulty units. That will likely be the case to start with. The progressive coaching staff will devise ways to exploit the changes and make them work for their teams with the others left behind.
A more important consideration is when we reach the midpoint of this upcoming season. At that juncture, those who have found the most success will have copy-cats utilizing what they have accomplished and other innovations will begin to emerge. This will be a tell-tale of what is to come.
In terms of how the sportsbooks and oddsmakers will react, figure swiftly as always. If we see a preponderance of more scoring directly from more kickoff returns, the oddsmakers just adjust quickly on the fly and only the sharpest of bettors might be able to take advantage of a potential edge.
How Might Prop Bets Change?
It takes a vivid imagination to create props. That part will play out after a few games are played in the regular season and those creative types will generate new material.
However, what we do know is oddsmakers will have to look potentially differently at team totals based on the results that come in. Obviously, the movement would be upward, but again how much?
One thing you can be certain of a particular prop – Yes or No – Will There Be a Kickoff Return in This Contest? – will draw a great deal of Week 1 interest. Chances are the betting public will want to see this occur immediately and be drawn to such a wager with positive odds.
No matter what happens, player safety on kickoffs will be improved and the league loses a little of what some call the NFL (No Fun League), and it spices up the action and intrigue for the upcoming season.
