NFL’s New Plan for First Down Technology

The NFL is making a big move for the upcoming season by introducing an electronic system to measure first downs.

This change will keep the chain crew on the sidelines, but they’ll act as a backup.

Why the Change is Happening

The need for more precise measurement tools became clear during a tense moment in the AFC Championship game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the final minutes, Buffalo’s quarterback, Josh Allen, made a run that was initially ruled short of the first-down marker.

However, replay footage seemed to show that he had made the necessary yardage, even in the midst of a massive pile-up of players.

This sparked debates and led to the NFL considering a more accurate way to measure first downs.

How First Downs Are Currently Measured

For as long as the NFL has existed, first downs have been measured manually.

Officials place the ball in position while the chain crew sets up yard markers on the field to measure the progress.

Other Sports Use Technology

In contrast, other major sports leagues have already started to use technology to help with officiating.

Soccer, for example, uses VAR to review close calls, temporarily halting the game to ensure the right decision is made.

While the NFL also uses video replay to assist with certain decisions, no other major U.S. sports league has adopted a fully digitized system for things like first-down measurements.

What’s Next for the NFL?

As the NFL moves toward implementing this new system, it’s clear that the league is embracing technology to improve the accuracy of officiating.

This shift might bring about more changes down the line, especially as technology continues to evolve.

Stay tuned for more updates.