Baltimore Beatdown
The Detroit Lions are proposing an NFL rule change to eliminate automatic first downs on illegal contact and defensive holding penalties. How would that impact the Baltimore Ravens?
The NFL’s Annual League Meeting will occur at the end of March and prior to the Owners sitting down, NFL rule change proposals have been submitted and released.
Among the most significant is the suggested change by the Detroit Lions, which would “eliminate an automatic first down as a penalty imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact.”
The change would make the penalty five yards and (assumedly) a replay of the down if the five-yard infraction does not surpass the first-down marker.
A response from Warren Sharp pointed toward the Lions wanting the change as they commit both infractions more than any other team. The Ravens weren’t much further down the rankings, tying for fifth-most infractions. With such a volume of infractions, it’s worth seeing how impactful the automatic first-down element is both against the Ravens and as beneficiaries.
NOTE: Below are only the infractions which occur on defense, are accepted and not offsetting. All stats are pulled from Pro Football Reference boxscores of the 2024 season.
Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
Location, Down & Distance: DAL40, 2nd & 15
Penalized: Nate Wiggins
Result of Play: Incompletion to Brandin Cooks
Extended Drive Length: 5 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 22 yards
Result of Drive: Turnover on Downs | Incompletion on 4th & 14
Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
Location, Down & Distance: DAL46, 3rd & 5
Penalized: Marcus Williams
Result of Play: Incompletion to Jake Ferguson
Extended Drive Length: 7 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 49 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | Dak Prescott completion KaVontae Turpin, 16 yard TD
Week 9 vs. Denver Broncos
Location, Down & Distance: BAL44, 2nd & 10
Penalized: M. Humphrey
Result of Play: B. Nix pass incomplete for T. Franklin
Extended Drive Length: 9 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 30 yards
Result of Drive: Turnover on downs | Incompletion on 4th & 14
Three times the Ravens commit illegal contact and one drive resulted in a touchdown. However, if it was a five-yard infraction and not an automatic first down, the “what if” scenario still gives the Cowboys the touchdown, seeing as the infraction occurred on a 3rd & 5.
However, this is not a black-or-white scenario. The impact of these includes time of possession, extra plays on defense, etc. Nonetheless, strictly speaking on the scoreboard, no impact is made.
Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
Location, Down & Distance: DAL16, 2nd & 9
Penalized: Odafe Oweh
Result of Play: Incompletion to Brandin Cooks
Extended Drive Length: 7 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 12 yards
Result of Drive: Punt | Bryan Anger punts 56 yards, Deonte Harty return 13 yards
Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
Location, Down & Distance: DAL45, 3rd & 6
Penalized: Nate Wiggins
Result of Play: D. Prescott pass incomplete intended for C....
