The NFL is finally back.
The preseason officially got started on Thursday night with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The Chicago Bears pulled off a 21-17 win over the Houston Texans at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in what ended being a shortened contest due to storms in the area. The came was called with just a few minutes left in the third quarter, which spoiled what was a great outing for Bears receiver Collin Johnson.
We didn’t get to see new Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, or really any of the starters that we’ll see come opening day, or even a complete game, but the matchup ahead of the enshrinement ceremony this weekend brought fans their first real taste of the sport in months — and a great look at the new kickoff rules.
New NFL kickoff rules in action
Thursday’s game looked very different from the jump.
The NFL implemented new rules for kickoffs this season in an effort to make the play safer without eliminating it completely. Only about 22% of kickoffs were actually returned last season, which was the lowest in NFL history.
And, well, the new system is a bit confusing. The kicking team still starts at the 35-yard line, but players on the kicking team start at the opponent’s 40 and can’t move until the ball hits the ground or a player in the “landing zone” — which is the area between the goal line and the 20-yard line.
Just check out the graphic ESPN put together to try and explain it.
So, naturally, the first kickoff of the night was very strange.
This “radical” rule change is going to take some time to get used to.
Collin Johnson, Bears rally
The Texans scored first after backup quarterback Davis Mills led them on a perfect 13-play, 74-yard drive to open the game. Mills connected with tight end Teagan Quitoriano for a nine-yard touchdown, the first of the preseason.
The Texans pushed their lead to 10 after a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal early in the second quarter. Mills was pulled after the second drive. He finished…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-win-weather-shortened-hall-of-fame-game-matchup-with-texans-to-kick-off-nfl-preseason-025258477.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-08-02 02:52:58
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