Offensive favoritism in the NFL

A concerning tendency in the National Football League (NFL) is the clear preference for certain offenses when it comes to penalty enforcement. This disparity jeopardizes the credibility of the sport, despite the league's efforts to improve viewer’s enjoyment and player safety. Prioritizing offensive performance over defensive play distorts the dynamics of the game and lessens the spirit of competitiveness.

The league's extreme protection of quarterbacks and skill position players is at the core of this problem. Although there is no denying the need for player safety, the way penalties are now applied, particularly for roughing the passer, has gotten so bad that defensive players are left feeling restricted. It has evolved from a strategy-based, athletic, and violent game to one that is strongly impacted by subjective officiating, where a defensive player may be penalized for a hit that was previously considered legal. This undermines the defensive part of the game by giving offenses more free yards.

Just last year, all NFL owners unanimously agreed to ban a tackling technique that was used by defensive players since the game was first created. The technique is known as a hip drop tackle. A hip drop tackle is when a defender wraps their arms around a ball carrier, rotates their hips, and drops their weight on the ball carrier's legs. If a player does this in a game, it will result in a 15-yard penalty. Also, if a player isn’t penalized for a hip drop tackle, he could still be fined if it was later determined that this technique was used.

High-scoring games are more enjoyable for fans and increase television ratings, according to Forbes. This viewpoint, however, disregards the essential need for balance in football. There are fewer competitive matchups when defenses are penalized unfairly. Take the playoffs, when a referee's perception of a hit frequently determines the outcome of games rather than a team’s overall performance. In the 2023 playoffs, for instance, a pivotal roughing the passer penalty changed the result of a highly contested game. New York Giants Defensive Tackle, Dexter Lawrence, sacked Minnesota Vikings Quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Many believed it was a clean tackle, but the referees didn’t agree. Lawrence was issued a penalty, and ultimately this penalty won the Vikings the game.

Since offenses have always been a major focus of the game, some may argue that these penalties are required to protect players. Although scoring increases interest, the strategic conflicts between offense and defense are also what make the game so exciting. The way penalties are now enforced not only minimizes the contribution of defensive players but also undervalues the effort and planning that go into defensive game plans. When teams are afraid of penalties, they are unable to implement their best defensive strategy, which then decreases their quality of play.

Some critics may also argue that offenses are penalized the most. This in fact is true. A study by the Pro Football Reference, found that between 2017-2021, the most common penalty was offensive holding, which was 19.5% of all penalties. Followed by offensive false start with 16.4%. These two alone make up one-third of all penalties.

The NFL's current penalty structure devalues defensive performance by penalizing legitimate plays that disrupt offensive strategies. According to data from the 2023 season, defensive pass interference penalties accounted for over 4,000 yards awarded to offenses, a clear indication of how penalties can skew the game. By limiting the effectiveness of defenses, the league undermines an essential aspect of the sport, which could lead to a less dynamic and engaging viewing experience.

Additionally, the NFL needs to recognize the ideals and indirect knowledge that its supporters possess. Real football fans know that the game's appeal lies in the harmony between offensive and defense. When a defense steps up and makes a crucial stop or makes a big hit, fans love it. However, as defenders are further hindered by the fear of penalties, these instances are becoming less frequent.

The NFL needs to reevaluate how it handles penalties now. League leaders must establish a fairer system that protects players while enabling defenses to perform at their best. Without risking player safety, a more precise and standard set of officiating rules could maintain the spirit of competition.

In conclusion, we NFL fans need to push for a more equitable approach to the application of penalties. Let's express our feelings to the league and ask them to think about how their choices will affect the game we love. Football is an exciting, strategic, and well-balanced sport that attracts millions of fans. We can guarantee that it continues to be such by creating a fair and competitive atmosphere. It's time for the NFL to realize that the pleasure of competition itself, rather than just high scores, is what truly excites fans.