NFL Might Alter Controversial Replay Rule in Season

We need rules. Without rules society would break down into a chaotic mess.

Earlier this season we got a good look at how an NFL without rules would be when we had the replacement refs in charge. Week in and week out there were more and more instances of players testing the limits and fighting on the field. It actually became a little sad to see the players give these guys such little respect. Had many of these guys made more of an effort to do their jobs that might have been different, but we'll never know (hopefully...).

However, from time to time there is a rule that while with good intentions it ends up being more harm then good. Take the replay rule that has affected a number off coaches, but most recently Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions.

During the third quarter of their Thanksgiving Day game with the Houston Texans Schwartz through the replay flag after watching Justin Forsett run 81 yards on his defense for a touchdown. Why he threw the flag was pretty easy to see in the replay. Forsett was clearly down (knee and elbow) after a short gain (I think it was 8 yards, but don't hold me to that).

According to the rules though, when a coach throws the challenge flag on a play that is already going to be reviewed he will be flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct because he is delaying the game. In edition to the yards, the play in question will not be reviewed even if it would have been anyway (like this one since it was a scoring play).

This penalty has nabbed a few coaches this season, but I have never heard of the play not be reviewed at all. While I understand wanting to keep the game moving--and I completely agree with the yards being assessed--but the play should still be reviewed at least if it is one that they were going to review anyway.

The NFL decided to automatically review scores and turnovers so that major game-turning plays would be properly called and the game not decided by an error. Keeping the game moving is pretty important too. Doing one at the expense of the other is just plain dumb.

As a Houston fan I am all for the mistake that was made Thursday, but should it happen in the post season and affect who plays in the Super Bowl (or the Super Bowl itself) the uproar would easily dwarf that which erupted after the Seattle/Green Bay Replacement Ref fiasco.

This is one that the NFL needs to change now; not after the season ends and the owners are gathering at some luxurious resort to decide how the game is going to be further legislated in the future. Rumor has it that is a distinct possibility.

If anything hopefully this rule will finally help them see that their interference and constant tweaking of the rule is a lot like the government where less is more.