The NFL is once again considering moving to an electronic system to determine first downs. The report from the Washington Post’s Mark Maske comes on the heels of a controversial play in the AFC Championship game.
Josh Allen was marked short of a first down by the referees during a critical fourth quarter drive, but there are many viewers who believe he did gain enough to get the first down.
The idea of electronically spotting the ball would correct this, in theory. In actuality, however, the same result will happen. An electronic system works as a safety measure for the officials, not a replacement, so the system doesn’t come into place until the ball is spotted.
You’d think by now you could install a chip that is able to tell you whether or not a runner crossed the first down line without the need to be spotted first. The NFL, though, is still trying to figure out a way to use this system. There was an attempt made during the preseason but didn’t progress further because “complaints about the amount of time taken to make first-down decisions.”
Utilizing electronic systems in this capacity could be the first step on a path to eliminate situations like the AFC Championship Game moving forward.
