Dec 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers kicker Nick Novak (9) is congratulated by punter Mike Scifres (5) after an extra point during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Roger Goodell and the NFL’s Competition Committee are apparently looking into revamping the leagues scoring system. Goodell told Rich Eisen of ‘NFL Total Access’ that the main thing the Committee was discussing is the abolishment of the extra point. According to Goodell, the “extra point is almost automatic… and you want to add excitement to every play.” Check out the entire video interview here.
Goodell went on the explain that of the 1,200 odd extra point attempts, only 5 were missed this year. So, if the extra point is basically automatic, a 99% success rate, then why do teams have to continue to line up for the monotonous play? the Competition Committee is considering all options, but Goodell did give details about one of the options.
"“There’s one proposal in particular that I’ve heard about,” Goodell went on. “It’s automatic that you get seven points when you score a touchdown, but you could potentially go for an eighth point, either by running or passing the ball, so if you fail, you go back to six.”"
The proposed change essentially just erases the extra point and gives it to the scoring team automatically. The idea of the two-point conversion remains basically unchanged. I’m not sure why Goodell thinks this would ‘add’ excitement to the game. This change would only move the probability of converting the extra point from 99.1% all the way to 100%. In order to add excitement, Goodell needs to lower chance of conversion, not make the conversion literally impossible to fail.
Goodell added that there were some challenges to completing the change. Goodell asked, “is that going to discourage people from going for two?” I can’t see any reason why it would. If you fail the conversion. you get 6 points. If you convert the play, you get 8 points. Nothing changes.
I am in support of altering the extra point to make it more challenging, because the NFL all-time leading scoring list should not be dominated by kickers. But, I just can’t see any reason how making a touchdown worth 7 points accomplishes that.