NFL 4 point field goal misses the mark, there is a better way.

If NFL field goal rules are changed, Kickers may soon get 4 points for kicking a field goal from beyond 60 yards. The 4 point field goal rule will radically change a teams offensive philosophy by decentivizing trying to make it all the way to the endzone for a touchdown that is only worth 6,7, or 8 points. New strategies may emerge such as throwing extremely long passes from outside the 60n field goal threshold, knowing the 60 yard field goal is still an excellent consolation prize. While this may make the game more exciting in a sugar rush sort of way, death of the time consuming touchdown drive will change the core value of watching a Football game and turn NFL Football into a hybrid NBA 3point shot, ultra high Soccer Scoring match instead.

It is patently ridiculous to give more points to a 60 plus field goal than to a team that drove an extra 25 yards down the field, and still has to settle for a 3 point field goal, that's just dumb.

Field goals over 60 yards are worth 2 points, not 4. This will instantly discourage teams from from being rewarded for having less ability to move the ball down the field. Also, field goals that are from less than the 20 yard line, should also be only worth 2 points. These two field goal point change rules would reward teams who move the ball well down the field, while reducing points for teams that cannot move the ball, nor score a touchdown from the red zone. 

An additional scoring incentivize for NFL teams to still try for a touchdown but end up being stopped short, Punters can score 2 points for their team if their punt is not returned past the 5 yard line, or 1 point if the punt is not returned past the 10 yard line, as this would incentivize a team making a legitimate effort to go for a touchdown can still score points off of a well place punt.

Safeties should be worth 4 points instead of 2 points since safetys are so rare. 

To recap, Touchdowns continue to equal 6,7, or 8 points.
60 yards or greater field goals equal 2 points.
Field goals closer than 60 yards but farther away than 37 yards (the 20 yard line) remains at 3 points.
Field goals closer than the 20 yard would only be worth 2 points, and, a team could long snap the field goal attempt to ensure the kick qualifies for 3 points (that should add some drama).
Safetys would increase from 2 points to 4 points.
Punts that do not go into the endzone and are not returned past the 5 yard line equal 2 points
Punts that do not go into the endzone and are not returned past the 10 yard equal 1 point. 

Finally, at long last, punters would get a chance to score points while incentivizing their team to keep marching down the field towards a touchdown rather than try a 60 yard field goal attempt.

Los Angeles Emmy winning Producer Alessandro Machi combines his editing, camera and observational skills to provide unique insights into the World of Sports.

 

 

Los Angeles Emmy winning Producer Alessandro Machi combines his editing, camera and observational skills to provide unique insights into the World of Sports.