Cardinals become first team to capitalize off of game-changing NFL rule

Running back DeeJay Dallas, who the Cardinals signed this past offseason, returned a fourth quarter kickoff 96 yards to the endzone against the Buffalo Bills. It was an exciting return as Dallas took it straight up the middle, broke a couple of tackles around midfield, and dived from the goal line into the endzone.

The NFL changed the kickoff rules during the offseason in an attempt to make the play more relevant and impactful. Teams were getting to the point where they would settle for kicking the ball off to the back of the endzone and settle for a touchback, not wanting to risk a potential return for a touchdown.

There have been a few exciting kick returns so far in Week 1, but as of this post Dallas is the only player to take one back for a touchdown. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, it wasn't enough to secure them a win as they lost a tight one to Buffalo 34-28.

Hopefully there will be many more kickoffs returned for touchdowns and it adds the exciting element that the NFL is looking for. As for Dallas, he could be a nice x-factor as a return man for Arizona this season. His physical, North-South running style makes it difficult for defenders to bring him down, and he has just enough speed to take it all the way.