Welcome to NFL Officiating 201 Quiz

Answer: No

The Supplemental Note to Rule 8, Section 4, Article 2 of the NFL Rules states: "After the two-minute warning, any fumble that occurs during a down (including Try), the fumbled ball may only be advanced by the offensive player who fumbled the ball, or any member of the defensive team." Since the spot of the recovery was behind the spot of the fumble, the football is spotted at the point of recovery, which would be the Falcons' 34-yard line.

Answer: No penalty. This is a legal play.

According to Rule 12, Section 2, Article 6 of the NFL Rules, a defensive player may run into or rough the kicker only if it is incidental to and after he has touched the kick in flight. The Broncos player, then, did not commit a foul, since he deflected the kicked football.

Answer: Miami and San Diego

In the wake of devastating forest fires in Southern California, Qualcomm Stadium became a key staging area for emergency and sheltering operations. As workers beat back the flames, the Arizona Cardinals welcomed the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers into their home, Sun Devil Stadium, for a Monday-night tilt.

Answer: Illegal shift

Two players cannot be in motion at the snap of the football, as per Rule 7, Section 2, Article 5(c). This is termed an illegal shift. The official signal for illegal shift is for the referee to make horizontal arcs with both hands. The Vikings face a five-yard penalty for this infraction.

Answer: No

On April 5, 1973, the NFL implemented a jersey-numbering system to designate players by their positions. Since the linebacker in this question is wearing a number in the 50-59 range, he's required by rule to report to the referee BEFORE he enters the huddle (Rule 7, Article 3). If he had done that, the play would have been legal.

As it is, though, the Steelers are penalized five yards for illegal substitution.

Answer: 50 through 69

The NFL's numbering system, as established on April 5, 1973, is as follows: 1-19 for quarterbacks and specialists (punters and placekickers), 20-49 for running backs and defensive backs, 50 through 69 for centers and linebackers, 60-79 for interior offensive linemen (except centers) and defensive linemen, 80-89 for wide receivers and tight ends, and 90-99 for defensive linemen.

The NFL allowed players to keep an old number that was not correct for their position if they used that number during the 1972 season. Beginning with the 2004 NFL season, wide receivers were allowed to wear numbers in the range 10-19. Later still, linebackers were allowed to wear numbers in the range 90-99.

Answer: Yes

In 2007, San Diego's Antonio Cromartie set an NFL record by returning a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown. Rule 9, Article 2 states that if a defensive (or receiving) team recovers any kick, it may advance it. So the Packers would indeed score a touchdown on this play.

Answer: After the PAT Try, 15 yards from the normal kickoff spot.

Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (d) of the NFL Rules specifically states that a player cannot remove his helmet while on the field. There are exceptions to this rule, but the Lions player in this case clearly isn't one of them. Because the foul occurred AFTER the score took place, making this a dead-ball foul, the 15-yard penalty is enforced from the spot of the next offensive play, which would be the ensuing kickoff.

The Lions, then, would kick off from their 15-yard line.

Answer: False

Rule 11, Section 3, Article 2 of the NFL Rules states:

During a Try, the following shall apply:
a. If a kick results in a field goal by the offense, one point is awarded. An artificial or manufactured tee shall not be permitted to assist in the execution of a Try-kick. (The conditions of 11-4-1 must be met.)
b. If a Try results in a touchdown by either team, two points are awarded.
c.If the Try results in what would ordinarily be a safety against either team, one point is awarded to the opponent.
d. If any play results in a touchback, the Try is unsuccessful, and there shall be no replay.

Answer: No

Once a punt has crossed the line of scrimmage, it is considered illegal touching if the kicking team touches the ball first, according to Rule 9, Section 1, Article 4. The kicking team does not have to possess the ball in order for illegal touching to occur.

The ball simply cannot touch any member of the kicking team before the receiving team touches it. The Jaguars gain possession of the ball at the spot of the illegal touch, at the 26-yard line.