The NFL has released this year's list of team proposals for changes to the playing rules, bylaws, and resolutions.
This year, the Ravens are one of seven teams that submitted a resolution proposal to permit clubs to prepare kicking footballs ("K-Balls") before game day, similar to the process permitted for game footballs.
The Browns, Texans, Eagles, Raiders, Vikings and Commanders joined the Ravens in the proposal, which would "eliminate a burdensome and unnecessary process on game day" for equipment staffs. Each team would still present three "K-Balls" to the officiating crew before the game, which would still be inspected along with the quarterback balls.
The Ravens were not part of any proposed rule changes. The three this year came from the Lions, Packers, and Eagles:
By Detroit: Eliminate an automatic first down as a penalty imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact.
By Green Bay: Prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap.
By Philadelphia: Align the postseason and regular season overtime rules by granting both teams an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first possession, subject to a 15-minute overtime period in the regular season.
Will the 'Tush Push' Be Eliminated?
The Packers' proposal to essentially eliminate the "tush push" will be the most hotly debated among NFL circles leading up to the vote at Owners Meetings later this month.
The Ravens have used a version of the play, often with a tight end taking the snap. At the NFL Combine, Head Coach John Harbaugh said he's "OK" with the play.
"To me, you have to take all of those rules holistically. What effect does one rule change have on the next thing? So, if you take out the 'tush push,' then you're going to take out all pushing," Harbaugh said.
"A guy can't be downfield, and the offensive linemen can't come running in and push the ball carrier five more yards. You can't take one out but not the other. They are the same, just like you're not supposed to be able to grab a running back and pull him into the end zone. That hasn't been officiated. They've allowed that to happen. That's already against the rules. How are you going to officiate that? So, if we want to say that you can't help push a [running] back, then you can take out the 'tush push.' If you're going to say that's still allowed, then, in my opinion, can't take out the 'tush push.'"
Lions Make a Significant Playoff Seeding Proposal
The Lions also made a significant bylaw proposal to change playoff seeding.
The NFL currently gives the top four seeds to divisional winners, which guarantees each team at least one home playoff game.
Under the Lions' proposal, wild card teams would be seeded higher than division champions if the wild card team has a better regular-season record.
The seeding would just be based on record (and tiebreakers), essentially removing the additional reward for winning the divisional crown.
Last year, the Lions and Vikings played a Week 18 game to decide the NFC North champion. The Lions won and claimed the NFC's top seed and the Vikings dropped to the No. 5 seed and started the playoffs on the road despite having a 14-3 record, which was better than two division winners (Bucs and Rams) who were seeded higher.
The Lions' stated reason for the change is "competitive equity. Provides excitement and competition in late season games. Rewards the best-performing teams from the regular season."
