Why the Cowboys hold a massive advantage after NFL approves new kickoff format

The new kickoff rules

There are a lot of details to look into when it comes to the new kickoff rules but here's what you absolutely need to know to catch up´:

• The ball would be kicked from the kicking team's 35-yard line.
• The non-kicker players from the kicking team would line up on the receiving team's 40-yard line, though. They can't move until the ball hits the ground in the landing zone or end zone.
• The receiving team can have up to two returners lined up in the landing zone (inside their own 20-yard line). At least nine other players can line up in the set up zone, which would be between their 35 and 35-yard line. They also can't move until the kick has hit the ground or a player in the landing zone or end zone. Notice how this keeps players from gaining velocity before inevitably colliding like in today's returns.
• Kicks that fall short from the landing zone result in an out of bounds-type penalty (starting at the receiving team's 40-yard line). Kicks that go for a touchback result in the ball being spotted at the receiving team's 35-yard line (unless it first hits the landing zone and then goes into the end zone. Notice how this will incentivize teams to not kick it out of the end zone.
• No fair catches allowed. 

Not all is good, though

The Cowboys are also losing a key advantage because of their All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey. Not only did the former USFL sensation take the league by storm with his field goal accuracy in 2023 but he was the best kicker in touchback rate in the NFL at 90.8%, per Pro Football Reference. 

The Cowboys will know ask Aubrey to aim for that landing zone instead to keep opponents from starting at the 35-yard line.