Buffalo Bills: How new NFL rule change impacts the Bills

The NFL have made a seemingly unnecessary rule change for next season, but how will the Buffalo Bills be potentially affected by it?

If you were to ask anyone associated with the NFL which team has the worst weather conditions — whether it be a player, coach, fan or whoever — the answer is predictable. For better or worse, fair or not, you imagine the majority of people would say the Buffalo Bills.

And really, “fair or not” is probably the right sentiment, given some recent news. More specifically, one of the NFL’s latest rule change for the 2018 campaign.

As per Will Brinson of CBS Sports, the NFL has made a change which will impact teams playing in adverse weather condition. They have ruled that from next season, non-players will be unable to clear away any snow before starting a play involving a kick or punt:

"It is impermissible for the grounds crew or other team personnel to clear away snow for a try, field goal, punt, or kickoff. Officials should try to prevent this as soon as they see someone coming out on the field, thus avoiding the need to call a penalty."

In addition, players can only use their hands and feet to clear snow. Any violation of the new rule, will result in a 15-yard penalty for the offending team.

From the Buffalo Bills’ perspective, it was probably a game involving them last season, which helped influence the NFL’s decision to come up with this new rule. It happened in Week 14, during a snowy encounter with the Indianapolis Colts in Western New York.

The Colts had just scored a touchdown to make it 7-6 with 1:16 to play in the fourth quarter. Needing the extra point to tie, non-player personnel helped clear a spot for the kick, some using towels.

As amusing as the incident was at the time, it did indeed help Adam Vinatieri tie the game and send it to overtime. Today, it would result in a 15-yard penalty, but you have to wonder how necessary this new rule really is?

We’ve seen the league make many changes over the years, with the aim of improving the product on the field. Some we agree with, some we don’t.

More from Buffalo Bills

• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller the ideal addition both on and off the field
• Buffalo Bills: Majority of new stadium funding will come from public
• Buffalo Bills vs. Patriots: Odds, Spread, Over/Under & Betting Pick
• Buffalo Bills run game providing much-needed boost to offense

For example, anything that involves player safety, we have a tough time arguing with. On the flip side, you sometimes wonder if the NFL has gone too far in its quest to make the game more passer/offense-friendly, essentially making it look like a live version of a Madden computer game.

However, at least both of these aspects are — theoretically at least — for the benefit of the players and teams as a whole. Not so for kickers, and now punters.

It’s bad enough for kickers that they are very rarely perceived as ‘real’ football players. Of the few who have enjoyed such recognition, we can name Morton Anderson, Darren Bennett and Vinatieri.

Throughout it all though, they’ve continue to thrive and become more efficient at their profession. And yet, the NFL rewards them by continuing to make it harder for them to perform their job.

The most prominent change was the one made in 2015, with extra point attempts being moved back from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line. Yes, it has added more uncertainty to the play, thus resulting in more misses and excitement.

However, you don’t imagine the kickers have ever thanked the NFL for such a rule modification. And now they have to deal with yet another change, with punters also getting to join in on the feeling of being persecuted.

Next: 3 factors which impact Chris Ivory carrying the main load

What’s your opinion of the latest NFL rule change? Do you agree with it or not, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.