The NFL banning the “hip drop tackle” is the rule change generating the most headlines, but the league approved several other major rules changes at league owners meetings this week. Coaches will now be given a third challenge as long as they won at least one of their first two challenges. This is a small, yet major, shift from the norm.
And it could be a big moment for New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen. He has never taken two challenges in the same game, only throwing the red flag on 7 plays in 34 games with New Orleans. Allen could be the perfect coach to use as an example. In his first year as head coach, he was a perfect 4-for-4. This would guarantee him a third challenge under the new system. In Year 2, he lost all of three of his challenges. Under the new rule, he would still have another shot to earn a third challenge.
Coaches no longer need to be perfect to get the reward of a third challenge. You will likely see coaches be more aggressive with their second red flag if they win their first challenge. Maybe Allen will even lean away from his conservative nature. Coaches are less likely to hesitate when throwing the flag after a successful first challenge.
This should help get more calls correct in the long run. Teams were less likely to challenge close calls because they wanted to play it safe. Lowering the prerequisites for a third challenge will lead to more challenges which should lead to more correct calls.
