NFL Punt Rules: Why was Seahawks' double punt allowed to stand?
The Seattle Seahawks were trailing 16-7 in the third quarter of their Thursday night game matchup against the Los Angeles Rams and were forced to punt deep into their own territory.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson had his punt blocked and deflected. He chased it down, scooped it, and attempted to run upfield for a first down. He ran out of space to venture in and paused before shanking a punt that would net over 60 yards and be downed within the Rams' 20.
The Rams blocked the punt, and well… JUST WATCH! 📺
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Everyone was stunned by the bizarre punt and was confused on whether it was a legal play by the Seahawks. There may not have been another "double punt" in the Super Bowl Era and the average fan wasn't aware of any official ruling.
Officials discussed it at length and ruled it an eligible play, making it one that will go down in history. The Seahawks may have lost the game to the Rams, but this play alone will eclipse the news of their loss.
NFL Punt Rules: Can you advance a blocked punt?
The "double punt" may have been called a legal play by officials, but was it legal through the official rulebook? Referees don't always get the call right on the field and could have been caught off guard with this one and had to work on the fly.
The answer to this question is yes.
Punter Michael Dickson was able to pick up his blocked kick and attempt another one on the same play. There is an actual ruling in the NFL rulebook for blocked punts and second punt attempts.
The rule states that a blocked punt can be picked up and advanced for a first down.
It can also be kicked again as long as the ball does not cross the line of scrimmage in the process. The rule specifies that it has to be the punter and it can't be another player. The punter must also not cross the line of scrimmage during his second attempt.
Another concern was that most of the kicking team was downfield at the time of the second kick. The ruling allows the entire kicking team to be downfield in this situation.
After a punt that does not cross the line of scrimmage, the kicking team may also pass or run for a first down in addition to punting again. The rules do not preclude a punter from kicking out to a gunner behind the LOS, who can advance or even pass the ball
It's a weird rule, but it's a legit one. Michael Dickson may have known about the rules, or he may have just gone off instinct and gotten rid of the ball.
NFL Punt Rules: Seahawks' double punt should have been flagged illegal
While a double punt is legal, Dickson's second kick should have been flagged.
NFL punt rules suggest that a second punt cannot be attempted from beyond the line of scrimmage. On the Seahawks' double punt, the line of scrimmage was roughly around the home team's 21-yard line.
As evidenced from the image above, Dickson was past the 21-yard line when he attempted his second kick on the play and hence, it should have been flagged illegal. The chaos ensured the Seahawks got away with what would have been a huge penalty that would have seen the Rams get the ball back in the red zone.
In the end, it didn't matter as the Rams won 26-17 to improve to 4-1.
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