New Kick Off rules and point totals

Any strong opinions about this new kick off rule? 

After 1 week of preseason I noticed a few times field position started at the 40 for not landing in the zone.  Also, more returns could result in more big returns or turnovers.

Just curious on other think this will impact the game, specifically point totals

Should be more points. It's not only the starting field position which should average close to the 30, as opposed to the 23 average last year in the NFL, it is also the reduction in penalties on returns. 

Only 22% of NFL kickoffs were returned last year, but 35% of those had a penalty on the return team, resulting in disastrous starting field position of the 15 or less. This is all but eliminated in this new system. There will also be more touchdowns scored and longer kickoffs returned, added to standard starting field position of 30 and 40 yard line. 

I can't help believe this will lead to more points in the NFL this year

Teams are not showing their real strat. in the preseason. Come the reg. season nearly every kick is going to be a bullet line drive landing around 10-15 yards inside the out of bounds lines that land between the 20 + about 5 yard lines that nobody will be fielding that will bound into the endzone + not be returned. The ball will be placed at the 20 so a good spot for the D. to defend + a 5 yard bonus for them compared to previous years touchback rule. Again there will be a small % of returns this year just like previous years but for dif. reasons.

At least a few more FG's.

VZack: "35% of those had a penalty on the return team."

I like to use the total combined penalties prop for games I'm going to watch on TV. Not serious investment size bets, just small money for fun and a rooting interest, you potentially have action on every play.

The average number is usually around 11, it'll be interesting to see if they come in slightly lower this year, if the books are sharp and on their game (well, the few who offer the prop anyway, most don't, they offer an extremely limited number of props, and only ones where the odds are extremely jaded in their favor.)

Good info to keep in mind when looking at this prop this season. Thanks for the heads up.

It's definitely easier for the returner to break a long one/TD

But gotta see if teams will do what was said in post #3

The NFL 100% wants higher scoring games. Same as NHL and MLB have been doing 

So interesting.  There is always an angle!

GL with this.  Update me if you can.

Thanks for the input everyone.   I agree that I do think pre season is for playing around, experimentation etc but I also expect average starting field position to be increased this year.  

@chef702

 My initial thought was "Bet the over!" when I saw the new formation. But I agree, we won't know how teams are going to adjust until regular season. 

I can’t conceptualize the need for this rule change. Thinking it’s just another wrinkle to screw sports bettors and punish defensive teams.

@FSerpico

 From my understanding it is to reduce injuries. A lot of guys get hurt running full speed and launching themselves into somebody. They are a bunch of nobodies on special teams but teams have to pay for their injuries and NFL has to pay for retirement.