How NFL successfully brought back one of league's most exciting plays

The new touchback rule has changed the kickoff game

There was a point in time where it seemed like the NFL was trying to do away with the kickoff due to the high rate of injuries that were suffered on the play, as well as the fact that kickers had become so good at booming the ball through the end zone and forcing teams to start back at their own 20-yard line.

But over the past couple of years, the NFL has done everything in its power to not only make the kickoff safer (with last year's new kickoff rule that had the teams lining up five yards from each other with no running start), but also bring back what can be one of the league's most exciting plays. It seems to be a successful endeavor. 

So, how has it done it?

The NFL has gradually moved the touchback line to the 25- and 30-yard lines in recent years in the hopes that it would inspire teams to keep kickoffs in the field of play, but it did not always have the desired impact.

This season, the NFL took it another step further and moved the touchback line to the 35-yard line, which is a significant difference from what it used to be. And that seems to have scared teams into not wanting to start opponents that far up the field. Through the first week, nearly every team in the league was kicking short of the goal line and trying to pin teams deep with good coverage. 

The result was the highest kickoff return rate the NFL has seen since Week 17 of the 2010 season. The average starting field position for Week 1 following a kickoff return was the 29.6 yard line, which only further incentivizes teams to not put the ball into the end zone. As long as teams feel that they can keep teams inside the 35-yard line on kickoffs, they are going to avoid putting the ball into the end zone.