NFL world reacts to new rules as Cardinals make crucial error in Seahawks loss, ‘I love it’

Marvin Harrison Jr. put his catching woes behind him for the first touchdown, and then played a big part in getting the Arizona Cardinals to the Seattle red zone for Demercado’s.

It was a herculean effort from Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to get back into the game, only for a kickoff error to set the Seahawks up on their 40-yard line with 28 seconds to play and one timeout. The reaction was considerable on social media, including the likes of J.J. Watt sharing their opinion.

NFL world reacts to the new kickoff rule that cost the Arizona Cardinals the game

Unsurprisingly, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald was a fan of the new kickoff rule, which set them up on their 40-yard line right after Demercado’s touchdown.

Cardinals’ Chad Ryland kicked the ball just short of the landing zone, meaning Sam Darnold and the Seahawks offense only had to move the ball 26 yards for Myers to be comfortable.

After the game, Macdonald was asked what he thought about the new rules, which have now played a massive part in two of their three wins, the other against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He responded: “I love them.”

J.J. Watt, the legendary former Houston Texans and Cardinals DE, thought otherwise: “Man, that kickoff was a killer.”

NFL analyst Ari Meirov highlighted the prominence of special teams since the new rules were introduced: “The margin in special teams is razor-thin.

“One block, one dynamic kickoff screw-up, one return, one mistake can flip an entire game. We’re seeing it more than ever in the NFL this season.”

NFL stats analyst Warren Sharp questioned why Jonathan Gannon and the Cardinals’ special teams coach, Jeff Rodgers, changed tack with kicking when it mattered most.

He commented: “The whole game Arizona kicked to pin Seattle, and the kicker did it perfectly: Kicked to SEA 4, Kicked to SEA 5, Kicked to SEA 1, Kicked to SEA 0.

“The average starting field position was the 28, then they ask him to do something different & he blows it, kicks to SEA 21, placed at the 40, game.”

Some fans want a return to the old kickoff rules. One fan said, “Bring back the old kickoffs and play football.”

Others disagree: “As someone who usually hates changes to the game, I actually like the new kickoff rules. It makes the skill of the kicker much more valuable, and the play itself is much more interesting. (Although we could probably move touchbacks back to the 30).”

The NFL should keep the new kickoff rules but make small tweaks

The last fan quoted from social media had an excellent point. The new kickoff rules are exciting and reward skill from the cleat, but some tweaks should be made.

Considering the incredible shift in kickers’ ability in recent years, with the Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey a prime example, a touchback on the 40-yard line is too easy.

Aubrey can kick 60-65 yard field goals with ease, and it won’t be long before he beats Justin Tucker’s 66-yard record.

If the touchback is moved to the 30-yard line, it still punishes the kicking team for failing to get it into the landing zone, which shouldn’t be an issue in the modern game, while still providing a challenge.

Fans will be quick to point out the rules impacting the Cardinals. What has been slightly glossed over is the remarkable play from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who gets out of bounds on a 22-yard catch to help set up Myers.

The Seahawks still had a fair bit to do, and executed it perfectly. If anything, that is on the Cardinals’ defense for failing to stop them with 28 seconds left and only one timeout.