Maybe The Kickoff Rule Isn't So Bad

Many of you are probably like me: you hate the new rule change regarding kickoffs and kickoff returns.

If you are unfamiliar with the new rule change, let me sum it up for you. The kickoff will now take place from the 35 yard line instead of the 30 yard line. The kicking team will only get a 5 yard running start, a wedge on the return team remains, and touchbacks stay at the 20 yard line.

The "reasoning" behind this if for player safety and the hard hits taken on kickoff returns.

Well, after thinking about it, maybe this rule isn't the worst thing in the world. Yes, the number of touchbacks taken (the most boring play in football) will increase, and the number of kickoff returns for touchdowns (one of the most exciting plays in football) will decrease, but this might just help out the Chiefs.

The Chiefs aren't the same team they were in 2003 with Dante Hall, where anytime they got a kickoff they could take it back all the way. If this rule change was implemented back then, Chiefs fans would and should have been up in arms.

But this isn't 2003.

Since 2005, the Chiefs have returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. In that same amount of time, the Chiefs' opponents have scored five touchdowns on kickoffs.

Kickoff returns for touchdowns can swing momentum in a heartbeat. They win games. But unfortunately for the Chiefs, kickoff returns for touchdowns have cost them more games then they have won them.

In addition to limiting kickoff returns, the new rule also helps out our kicking game. As Bill Williamson from ESPN points out, Ryan Succop had touchbacks on only 10.3% of his kickoffs last season. The extra five yards should increase this percentage.

So, at the end of the day, the new rule change may be met with scrutiny, but the Chiefs just might benefit from it. Go figure.