2 NFL Rules Questions

[NFLXTFAN]

I like to consider myself pretty knowledgeable about rules in sports, especially my favorite, which is football. But there has been great debate amongst friends and coworkers about the following.

#1. Why isn't spiking the ball considered intentional grounding?

#2. We all know that any score in OT is the game winner. But a team doesn't receive the opportunity for the PAT. The argument is that I say during regulation, a team is obligated to the PAT, but others argue that if the TD occurs when the clock ends in 0:00, the team is not allowed the PAT. My question is, who is right? Is a team obligated to the PAT in regulation or not?

Thanks in advance.

 

[casper]

#1- intentional grounding is called when the qb is in immediate danger of getting sacked or knocked in the mouth, when the ball is spiked to stop the clock the qb is not in danger of being sacked.

#2- i believe in regulation the PAT is obligatory, even if the clock reads 0:00 when the td occurs. in OT the first score wins so the PAT is not necessary

 

[Peck]

#2.. A team must attempt a PAT even when time has run out due to Tie Breaking implications at the end of the season. The extra point can make or break a teams playoff possibilities as toatl points scored (although well down the list)is one of the criteria for determining who goes to the playoffs in th event of a tie. The league requires teams to attempt The PAT so they cannot come back latter and say..But if we had of kicked the extra point we would be in the playoffs. Imagine the publicity problems that would create.

 

[Brick]

#1 they changed the rule for spiking about 4-5 (maybe even longer) years ago. i did used to be grounding in days of yore

 

[NFLXTFAN]

Thanks for posting your comments. Casper, if I am not mistaken, wasn't Sean King flagged for intentional grounding for throwing the ball away when he didnt find a receiver open on Sunday night? He was in no danger of being sacked, but was still called for grounding. I will still search for the answer to the intentional grounding, as far as the actual wording, hopefully on the NFL's website. Thank you all for posting.

 

[NFLXTFAN]

Just received this on NFL's website:

Intentional Grounding of Forward Pass
1. Intentional grounding of a forward pass is a foul: loss of down and 10 yards from previous spot if passer is in the field of play or loss of down at the spot of the foul if it occurs more than 10 yards behind the line or safety if passer is in his own end zone when ball is released.

2. Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion.

3. Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage, throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or end line).

 

[And_One]

It is not intentional grounding foul if you spike the ball immediately after a good snap! If you pump fake or take time to look for play then spike the ball then it will be ruled as intentional grounding.