The Denver Broncos proposed a rule change on Friday that would serve as an alternative to onside kicks. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Whether the Alliance of American Football will be a successful football league is to be determined, but its rules have already made an impression on at least a few NFL folks — namely, the Denver Broncos, who proposed an alternative to the onside kick on Friday. The rule change, which was among nine proposals submitted by NFL teams for 2019, would give a team the chance to convert what would essentially be a fourth-and-15 situation from its 35-yard line after a fourth-quarter score to retain the ball. Each team would be given one such opportunity per game, and the rule change would not eliminate onside kicks or kickoffs. In the AAF, a team trailing by 17 or more points or by any amount with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter can attempt a fourth-and-12 conversion from its own 28-yard line after a score to retain the football. New NFL kickoff rules have made recovering onside kicks near impossible — only four were recovered last season in total. Meanwhile, the likelihood of converting a fourth-and-15, while difficult, is much more probable. And with teams going for it on fourth down with more regularity, gaining 15 yards with the ball in the quarterback’s hands to start off is a far more comforting scenario than relying on a lucky bounce off a squib kick that is very hard to perfect. So props to the AAF for being innovative on this rule, and for the Broncos for bringing it to the table. The rule would need approval from 24 of the league’s 32 teams after the competition committee meets to discuss it later this month. There’s always immediate skepticism as to whether the league will agree to such a drastic rule change, but from an entertainment standpoint — or from the standpoint of a fan who wants to increase the likelihood of late-game comebacks — giving teams another option besides the onside kick is appealing. The bulk of the other proposals made on Friday sought to expand replay review, though the Kansas City Chiefs did follow through on their desire to change overtime procedures after falling in the AFC Championship Game to the New England Patriots. More from Yahoo Sports:<doc-sep>Under the Broncos’ proposal, the kicking team would notify the referee of its intention, and the referee would inform the opposing team. The “kicking” team would retain possession of the ball by gaining 15 yards on its one play; otherwise the other team would take possession at the spot at which the play ends. The “kicking” team could not change course after a penalty. It would be obligated to try for a first down on fourth and 25 after being assessed a 10-yard holding penalty on its initial try, for instance.<doc-sep>Every year, the NFL allows teams to propose potential rule changes. It takes 24 owners voting in favor of a new rule for it to go into effect. The Denver Broncos proposed an interesting one this week. According to ESPN, there were nine rule changes suggested after the 2018 season – and seven of them had to do with instant replay. But Denver’s idea was much more out of the box. The Broncos proposed that the NFL do away with onside kicks – instead giving teams a chance to keep the ball in the fourth quarter after a score by converting a fourth-and-15. Here’s the proposed rule change, via ESPN: According to the Broncos’ proposal, released Friday night by the NFL, each team would have one opportunity per game to remain on offense after a fourth-quarter score. Instead of kicking off, the team would line up at its 35-yard line for what is in essence a fourth-and-15. If the team gains the 15 yards, it maintains possession. If not, the defense takes over. Just four of 52 onside kicks were recovered last year. It looks like at least one team wants to see higher odds for late comebacks. It’s unclear how much support such a rule would get. It’s drastic, but it would make games more fun to watch down the stretch. We’ll find out soon whether the proposed rule change will go through.<doc-sep>The seven other proposals to be reviewed by the committee address expanding replay review. The Broncos have proposed an alternative to onside kicks as one of the nine rules changes submitted to the league's competition committee for consideration for 2019, the NFL announced Friday night. Denver's proposal would give teams trailing in the fourth quarter one opportunity per game to remain on offense after a score if they can convert what is essentially a fourth-and-15 attempt instead of an onside kick. The proposal is similar to a rule in the Alliance of American Football which offers teams the chance to convert a fourth-and-12 from its 28 if it is down by 17 points or more in a game. The rule also applies if a team is trailing by any deficit with five minutes or less remaining in the fourth quarter. The Broncos proposal would have each team start at its 35-yard line instead of kicking off. The Chiefs proposed a change to the current NFL overtime format, suggesting instead that both teams be guaranteed at least one possession in overtime, regardless of whether or not a touchdown is scored on the first possession. As the overtime rules currently stand, a game ends if a touchdown is scored on the opening overtime possession. Kansas City's proposal would also abolish overtime in the preseason and eliminate the overtime coin toss. Instead, the Chiefs propose that whichever team won the pregame coin toss would choose whether it wanted to start overtime with the ball or on defense. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been vocal about his desire to alter the NFL overtime process after his Chiefs lost to the Patriots in overtime of the AFC Championship in January. New England won the overtime coin toss, then drove down the field for a game-winning touchdown drive. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes never took the field in overtime after the Patriots won the toss. The seven other proposed rules changes involve expanding replay review, which has also been a topic of discussion following the 2018 NFL playoffs. The Redskins made the most dramatic proposal, submitting that all plays be subject to coaches' challenges. The committee is scheduled to meet later this month to finalize its recommendations for the 2019 NFL season. Votes from 24 owners are required to approve any rule changes.<doc-sep>
NFL teams have proposed nine rule changes for 2019, including an intriguing alternative from the Denver Broncos to bypass the onside kick. According to the Broncos' proposal, released Friday night by the NFL, each team would have one opportunity per game to remain on offense after a fourth-quarter score. Instead of kicking off, the team would line up at its 35-yard line for what is in essence a fourth-and-15. If the team gains the 15 yards, it maintains possession. If not, the defense takes over. The NFL annually invites teams to propose rule changes, but the competition committee is charged with vetting and either endorsing or allowing them to stand on their own. Historically, owners defer substantial judgment to the committee, which is scheduled to meet later this month to finalize its recommendations for 2019. Minnesota's Adam Thielen jumps on an onside kick in a game against the Eagles last season. A proposal by the Denver Broncos would provide teams with an alternative to the onside kick if approved by NFL owners. Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire Votes from 24 owners are required to approve any rule changes. The Broncos' submission reflects the increased difficulty of onside kicks under new kickoff rules implemented last season. In 2018, NFL teams recovered only four of 52 onside kicks, according to ESPN Stats & Information. The new Alliance of American Football, which has outlawed kickoffs, offers teams the chance to convert a fourth-and-12 from its 28 if it is down by 17 points or more in a game or if it is trailing by any deficit with five minutes or less remaining in the fourth quarter. Of the nine NFL rule change proposals, seven involved expanding replay review. The Washington Redskins, most notably, proposed that all plays be subject to coaches' challenges. During a meeting last week at the NFL scouting combine, competition committee members expressed deep skepticism about expanding replay. They were slightly less doubtful of another idea suggested by coaches -- to add a "sky judge" to each officiating crew, with the authority to make calls from the press box -- and pledged to study it further this month. The discussion was energized by a missed pass interference call near the end of the NFC Championship Game, won in overtime by the Los Angeles Rams. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs followed through on their plans to propose that each team be guaranteed a possession in overtime, regardless of whether a touchdown is scored on the first possession. The Chiefs' proposal would also abolish overtime in the preseason and eliminate the overtime coin toss. Instead, the team that won the pregame coin toss would choose whether it wanted to start overtime with the ball or on defense.