The 2025 NFL season has only just begun, but it’s already evident that this year has a different feel. With the recent rule changes and surprising team performances, fans are in for a wild ride with unpredictable outcomes. From the reinvention of kickoffs to shocking wins and losses, the NFL is constantly evolving and growing.
One of the biggest rule changes in the 2025 season is the new kickoff design. This brings back excitement to special teams. This rule gives the receiving team better field position, placing touchbacks at the 35-yard line instead of the 25-yard line, the previous standard. This change motivates punt returners to make a run down the field and results in fewer automatic touchbacks and fewer injuries. This gives special teams the ability to hold a bigger role in the game when obtaining good field position for the offense. The kickoff rule isn’t the only thing getting adjusted; so is the onside kick protocol. In 2025, teams can now declare an onside kick at any point in the game, rather than only being allowed in the 4th quarter. This is a great addition to create more comeback opportunities late in the game for teams that are trailing. In football, all it takes is two seconds on the clock to have the opportunity to put points on the board.
Another significant update in the rules goes into effect during overtime. For the first time in a regular-season history, both teams are guaranteed a possession, which was previously a rule only in pre-season. The goal of this improvement is to reduce the frustration that fans and players experienced when the game was decided after one team’s first touchdown drive. This rule also sets a fair ground for the overtime period. If a team wins the coin toss and selects to receive the kick, then they would get the first advantage in being able to score and finish the game without the other team getting a chance on offense.
Not only is the rule book being changed, but so are the rosters. Teams like the Buffalo Bills have stormed out to a 4-1 start, with their quarterback, Josh Allen, looking unstoppable, and they have a strong defense to back him up, despite having some offseason roster changes. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens, who were a powerhouse last season in the AFC North, fell to 3rd in their division this season, with a record of 1-4, which is very unexpected. Over in the NFC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are surprisingly very successful this season. Sitting at the top with a 4-1 record and setting franchise records. Not to mention the other strong performers like the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Detroit Lions that have quickly worked their way into the playoff conversations. This is proof that playmaking still matters with the addition of the new rules.
These are huge improvements in the 2025 NFL season, whereas last year, the strong teams stayed at the top all season, and now the number one seed is up in the air. This brings up questions about who will be in the playoffs and later on in the Super Bowl. The inclusion of these new rules can outline a team’s strengths or weaknesses. This game has definitely changed with the new year, and some teams aren’t responding positively; meanwhile, the fans are loving the intense pressure and excitement.
