The 2024 NFL preseason officially kicked off last night in Canton, OH with the NFL Hall of Fame Game. Once the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame induction class was introduced, the spotlight quickly shifted to the new dynamic kickoff rules.
It was apparent that Troy Aikman and Joe Buck from moments before kickoff were advised by the NFL to hype up the new kickoff rules.
If you are unaware of the rule, you can find a detailed overview here.
In short, with the new rule, kickers will still kick off from their own 35-yard line. However, the other 10 members of the kicking team will line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line and cannot move till the returner fields the ball or hits the ground.
If the kicker puts the ball in the end zone on the fly it is a touch-back to the 30 yard line, if it lands in the landing zone and rolls for a touchback the ball is placed at the 20-yard line. Easy enough right, well how about the addition of a 12th man on the kick-off team.
That’s right. In windy conditions, the kicking team is allowed an extra player to hold the football on the tee. After the kick, this extra player must run off the field.
Having seen the new rule in action during the Hall of Fame game, it’s intriguing. The NFL has been clever here. Firstly, player safety has always been a priority, and with the offensive team’s new position during the kickoff, this concern is addressed. Secondly, touchbacks are boring, and with the ball now being placed at the 30-yard line, we will see significantly fewer of them. Finally, because of the touchback rule, kickers will aim to keep the ball in the “landing zone” and force the returner to field the ball. This essentially forces more action, and I am all for it!
Bears vs Texans Game Recap: Over 31.5 Bet Wins in Shortened Game!
Bankroll – $1008.92
A few months ago, the hype around the NFL Hall of Fame game centered on the anticipated face-off between C.J. Stroud and the #1 pick, Caleb Williams. However, both were dressed in street clothes for obvious reasons, as this is an extra preseason game.
The first half was quite entertaining.
Following the first-ever dynamic kickoff, veteran QB Davis Mills drove down the field 74 yards and connected with Teagan Quitoriano in just 13 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Dare Ogunbowale also headlined that drive and looked good in the first few series.
The Bears then took the field led by Tyson Bagent, who, according to the Chicago Bears depth chart, is the backup. I would be very surprised if that holds true after the preseason. He was very underwhelming and seemed hesitant to tuck and run with the ball.
Brett Rypien, on the other hand, went 11/15 for 3 TDs, including two in the first half. Case Keenum led a 2-minute drill to give Houston a 17-14 lead, making the first half very entertaining.
With 31 points scored by halftime, having the Over 31.5 in the game felt like an absolute lock. I even told my wife, “There is no way that I am going to lose this.”
But, if you’re a sports bettor, you know those might be dying words. The weather at halftime was moving across central Ohio, and the question became not if someone could score at least one more point, but if they could score before the game got delayed.
And yes, they could. Rypien connected with Collin Johnson for his second receiving touchdown, and the over hit to cash our bet.
The rain looked like it might hold off until the end of the game, but near the end of the 3rd quarter, the game was put into a delay. The NFL eventually called the game, and we ended day one of this sports betting journey with a profit of $8.92!
