Comparing the NFL and XFL
How do the NFL and the second version of the XFL compare against each other? Even from first glance they’re pretty different, and the XFL is not trying to emulate the National Football League of Northern America. But what are some of the specific differences between the NFL and XFL 2.0?
Kickoffs
In Vince McMahon’s league, the kickoff and return teams line up 5 years apart, on the 30- and 35-yard line on the receiving squad’s side of the field. The kicker is in the usual position, and only they and the returner are allowed to move until the ball is caught. The goal here is to reduce the NHL’s many high-speed collisions and subsequent concussions.
Double Forward Pass
In the NFL, the Double Forward Pass – a lateral and pass behind the line of scrimmage – is perfectly legal and commonly seen. If the ball is passed forward, the rule is that the receiver may not pass the ball again until the next lateral. This is not the case in the XFL, which allows for 2 successive passes behind the line of scrimmage.
Play Clock
The NFL’s play clock is 40 seconds long, while the XFL’s is 25 seconds. Offenses in the smaller league need to go faster to keep things moving, which often makes games more interesting to watch at Aussie online sports betting portals.
Points After Touchdown
Instead of the NFL’s Points After Touchdown – PAT – regulation, where kickers simply need to hit a 33-yard field goal, PAT in the XFL are scored by offenses. Kickers are completely removed from the equation, and offenses must go for 1-, 2- or 3-point plays which are run from the 2-, 5- and 10-yard line respectively.
Running Game Clock
In the National Football League, the clock is stopped on incomplete passes. The opposite happens in the XFL, where the clock is kept running to speed up the game. Additionally, the clock is not paused when XFL runners go out of bounds. This rule changes when there are less than 2 minutes’ play remaining, when the clock does stop on incompletions.
Comeback Period
In addition to the clock stopping on incomplete passes under the 2-minute warning, teams won’t be able to run the clock out under the warning in XFL games. Whereas in the NFL the only way to stop the clock on running plays once the 2-minute warning hits is timeouts, the XFL is hoping to introduce some exciting team comebacks with their rules. The specific regulations are that if a side runs the ball under the warning in the 2nd or 4th quarter, the game clock stops until the ball is spotted and 5 seconds have run off the play clock.
Overtime
The XFL’s shootout overtime format is quite different from the NFL’s, which says that the game is done as soon as a touchdown is scored by either team. Instead, both sides get 5 plays to land a touchdown from the 5-yard line. If they’re tied after this, a sudden death round ensues. Once again, this allows for faster play than in the NFL – and, many would argue, fairer play too.