Did football fans just witness a revolutionary new play that could change the sport during the “Sunday Night Football” game?
Here’s how the play unfolded. Late in the third quarter, the Miami Dolphins lined up for a 49-yard field goal attempt. Just before the snap, New England Patriots special teamer Brenden Schooler went in motion with a running start from the Patriots left side.
He hit almost full speed as the ball snapped and easily beat the edge blocker to block the Jason Sanders attempt.
NBC Sports analyst Cris Collinsworth quickly made a prediction.
“You’re about to see every special teams in the National Football League and college football put this play in their arsenal, because that running start made it easy to go block the kick. … Never seen it,” he said.
A simulation by Next Gen Stats shows the play the way some coaches may now be drawing it up on the chalkboard.
The play raised some questions: Why has no one ever thought of this before? Or has it been tried, and just failed? Was this just a fluke, one-time deal? Or, as Collinsworth suggested, will other teams at all levels soon try this?
Fans on social media were generally impressed by the innovation, but not too sure it will become a common event.
100% guarantee the league bans this in the off season. Just like when we used to jump the center and block kicks and that got banned.
Very innovative and creative play though. Wonder why nobody has tried this before
— Kcb ootf (@KcbOotf) September 18, 2023
[Awful Announcing; Photo Credit: NBC Sports]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.