The NFL has approved another rule in what has been a week filled with a bevy of changes to the league. The latest rule passed by the NFL owner’s is a modification of what is known as the “Jim Schwartz” Rule.
For those unfamiliar with the incident in question, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz threw an illegal challenge flag on a play that would have been reviewable. Justin Forsett, the Texans runner on the play, was not ruled down by contact (though his knee was down) and thus allowed to score an 81-yard touchdown. Had Schwartz kept his cool, the TD would have been erased and the Lions might have gone on to win the game.
However, as a result of the recent voting, NFL coaches who wrongly throw a challenge flag on automatically reviewable plays will not cost their team the opportunity to have the play officially reviewed. Examples of automatically reviewable plays include: all scoring plays, turnovers, or plays within the last two minutes of the half or overtime.
After the Thanksgiving Day debacle, Schwartz said that he knew about the rule but that he got so caught up in the emotions that went along with a blatantly wrong call going against his team. Luckily for Schwartz and Lions fans alike, referees will have to review such plays even if the coach throws out the red flag.
