>>149836218
It's a different game, dumbass.
>2004 β Illegal Contact Emphasis (βTy Law Ruleβ)
Defenders canβt touch WRs beyond 5 yards downfield
NFL starts actually enforcing it
Man coverage gets nerfed hard
Short routes and timing throws explode in popularity
>2006 β Low Hits on Quarterbacks
No more diving at QBsβ knees if you're on the ground
Comes after Palmerβs ACL tear
DL have to tackle higher = more time to throw
QB longevity starts improving
>2009 β Defenseless Receiver Rule
Canβt hit a receiver in the head/neck while theyβre vulnerable
Mostly protects guys going over the middle
Safeties can't play enforcer anymore
Middle of the field becomes QB's playground
>2010 β Helmet-to-Helmet Hit Crackdown
Big fines and flags for headshots
Hits on WRs and QBs get nerfed
DBs pull up instead of hitting through the route
Way fewer drops from fear
>2011 β Kickoff Line Moved (30 35)
Touchbacks skyrocket
Offenses start drives at the 25 consistently
Fewer injuries, but also more consistent field position
More scoring opportunities = more QB stats
>2013 β Crown-of-the-Helmet Rule
Ball carriers canβt lower the crown in open field
Nerfs power running a bit
Teams shift even more toward passing
Ground game loses its intimidation factor
>2014 β Expanded βDefenseless Playerβ Designation
Now includes players on change of possession (e.g. QBs after INTs)
Defenders constantly second-guessing themselves
Clean big hits basically extinct
Offense has total freedom
>2018 β βBody Weightβ Rule
Canβt land on QBs with full body weight after a sack
Clay Matthews commits legal hits still gets flagged
DL hesitate or whiff to avoid penalties
QBs get cleaner pockets and stay upright longer
>2018 β Catch Rule Simplified
No more βgoing to the groundβ BS
Catch counts if you control it + make a football move
Fewer controversial incompletions
Higher completion % and drive consistency
>2021 β 17-Game Season
One extra game
>>149836576
See
>>149836149 >>149836504
Outdueled by GRANDPA Brady.