The NFL will experiment with two rules changes at the 2020 Pro Bowl on Sunday afternoon. The first new rule will allow teams to attempt a long fourth-down situation in place of a traditional onside kick.
Following a successful field goal or extra point attempt, the scoring team (Team A) will have two options, according to the NFL:
Team A may elect to give Team B the ball at Team B’s 25-yard line (1st-and-10), beginning a new series of downs.
Team A may elect to take the ball at their own 25-yard line (4th-and-15).
If Team A is successful in making a first down, Team A will maintain possession and a new series of downs will continue as normal.
If Team A is unsuccessful in making a first down, the result will be a turnover on downs and Team B will take possession at the dead ball spot.
The league will also experiment with new pre-snap penalties. Here are the changes:
It is not a false start if a flexed, eligible receiver in a two-point stance who flinches or picks up one foot, as long as his other foot remains partially on the ground, and he resets for one second prior to the snap. A receiver who fits this exception is not considered to be “in motion” for purposes of the “illegal shift” rules.
It is a false start if all 11 offensive players have been set for at least one full second, and any flexed, eligible receiver breaks his stance by picking up both feet.
The Pro Bowl will air on ABC and ESPN on Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m. MT.
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