The Detroit Lions are proposing an NFL rule change to eliminate automatic first downs on illegal contact and defensive holding penalties. How would that impact the Baltimore Ravens?
The NFL’s Annual League Meeting will occur at the end of March and prior to the Owners sitting down, NFL rule change proposals have been submitted and released.
Among the most significant is the suggested change by the Detroit Lions, which would “eliminate an automatic first down as a penalty imposed for defensive holding and illegal contact.”
The change would make the penalty five yards and (assumedly) a replay of the down if the five-yard infraction does not surpass the first-down marker.
A response from Warren Sharp pointed toward the Lions wanting the change as they commit both infractions more than any other team. The Ravens weren’t much further down the rankings, tying for fifth-most infractions. With such a volume of infractions, it’s worth seeing how impactful the automatic first-down element is both against the Ravens and as beneficiaries.
NOTE: Below are only the infractions which occur on defense, are accepted and not offsetting. All stats are pulled from Pro Football Reference boxscores of the 2024 season.
Illegal Contact Infractions & Results
Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
Location, Down & Distance: DAL40, 2nd & 15
Penalized: Nate Wiggins
Result of Play: Incompletion to Brandin Cooks
Extended Drive Length: 5 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 22 yards
Result of Drive: Turnover on Downs | Incompletion on 4th & 14
Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
Location, Down & Distance: DAL46, 3rd & 5
Penalized: Marcus Williams
Result of Play: Incompletion to Jake Ferguson
Extended Drive Length: 7 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 49 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | Dak Prescott completion KaVontae Turpin, 16 yard TD
Week 9 vs. Denver Broncos
Location, Down & Distance: BAL44, 2nd & 10
Penalized: M. Humphrey
Result of Play: B. Nix pass incomplete for T. Franklin
Extended Drive Length: 9 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 30 yards
Result of Drive: Turnover on downs | Incompletion on 4th & 14
RESULTS
Three times the Ravens commit illegal contact and one drive resulted in a touchdown. However, if it was a five-yard infraction and not an automatic first down, the “what if” scenario still gives the Cowboys the touchdown, seeing as the infraction occurred on a 3rd & 5.
However, this is not a black-or-white scenario. The impact of these includes time of possession, extra plays on defense, etc. Nonetheless, strictly speaking on the scoreboard, no impact is made.
Defensive Holding Infractions & Results
Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
Location, Down & Distance: DAL16, 2nd & 9
Penalized: Odafe Oweh
Result of Play: Incompletion to Brandin Cooks
Extended Drive Length: 7 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 12 yards
Result of Drive: Punt | Bryan Anger punts 56 yards, Deonte Harty return 13 yards
Week 3 @ Dallas Cowboys
Location, Down & Distance: DAL45, 3rd & 6
Penalized: Nate Wiggins
Result of Play: D. Prescott pass incomplete intended for C. Lamb (defended by M. Humphrey)
Extended Drive Length: 4 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 2 yards
Result of Drive: Punt | B. Anger punts 37 yards, fair catch D. Harty
Week 7 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Location, Down & Distance: TB35, 2nd & 5
Penalized: Bump Cooper Jr.
Result of Play: B. Mayfield sacked 0 yards by Tavius Robinson
Extended Drive Length: 10 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 62 yards
Result of Drive: B. Mayfield intercepted by M. Humphrey in end zone, touchback
Week 9 vs. Denver Broncos
Location, Down & Distance: BAL12, 2nd & 6
Penalized: M. Humphrey
Result of Play: B. Nix scrambles 7 yds., first down
Extended Drive Length: 4 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: -13 yards
Result of Drive: Turnover on downs | Incompletion on 4th & 14
Week 10 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Location, Down & Distance: BAL2, 4th & 2
Penalized: B. Stephens
Result of Play: Joe Burrow pass incomplete to Andrei Iosivas
Extended Drive Length: 1 play
Extended Drive Yardage: 1 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | Chase Brown rushes for 1 yard, TD
Week 11 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Location, Down & Distance: BAL19, 1st & 10
Penalized: N. Wiggins
Result of Play: R. Wilson scrambles 0 yds.
Extended Drive Length: 4 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 5 yards
Result of Drive: Field goal | C. Boswell 32 yard field goal good
Week 12 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Location, Down & Distance: PHI33, 2nd & 6
Penalized: Trenton Simpson
Result of Play: J. Hurts pass complete to S. Barkley, no gain
Extended Drive Length: 6 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 62 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | S. Barkley 25-yard rushing TD
Week 14 @ New York Giants
Location, Down & Distance: NYG43, 3rd & 4
Penalized: M. Humphrey
Result of Play: T. DeVito pass incomplete to M. Nabers
Extended Drive Length: 9 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 57 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | D. Singletary 2-yard rushing TD
Week 17 vs. Cleveland Browns
Location, Down & Distance: BAL18, 2nd & 10
Penalized: Travis Jones
Result of Play: D’Onta Foreman rush 3 yards
Extended Drive Length: 4 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 13 yards
Result of Drive: Field goal | D. Hopkins 23-yard field goal good
RESULTS
Nine times, the Ravens’ defense commit defensive holding. Of those, three drives resulted in touchdowns and two resulted in field goals.
Most significant impact goes to Week 10 vs. Bengals. On 4th & 2, Stephens was called for a defensive holding. It was a highly questionable call as wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was actively pushing off Stephens on multiple occasions.
Refs throw a flag for holding on the Ravens on a Bengals 4th down and give the Bengals a fresh set of downs. #CINvsBAL pic.twitter.com/K0MZ4lrmJi
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) November 8, 2024
This resulted in a first down. It’s unknown in the “what-if” scenario if the Bengals would go for a field goal if the play was run again from the 1-yard line or if they go for it. But, the impact of the automatic first down was directly impactful on the drive as the Bengals could attempt to punch it in with Chase Brown on first down. If not, they still had multiple more attempts to score a touchdown.
The second touchdown listed is Saquon Barkley’s touchdown. Had the infraction not given a first down, it would’ve been 2nd & 1 with a replay of down. It’s unlikely the Ravens’ defense shuts down the Eagles’ offense in such scenario, but a fresh set of downs impacts the game.
The third touchdown occurs via a 3rd & 4 infraction, therefore a five-yard penalty grants a first-down marker. No impact.
Both drives resulting in field goals would’ve been equally as challenging with the new rules. Steelers face a 1st & 5 and the Browns face a 2nd & 5.
Overall, the Ravens were minorly punished by the automatic first-down inclusion of the rules, namely Week 10 vs. Bengals. However, the majority of their inflictions from the penalty was the five-yard penalty than the automatic first-down rule.
As Beneficiaries of the Automatic First-Down Rule
While the Ravens weren’t significantly punished by the automatic first-down rule, it’s worth viewing if they were beneficiaries.
Ravens as Beneficiaries of Illegal Contact & Results
Not once did the Ravens’ opponents commit illegal contact on defense, according to Pro Football Reference.
Ravens as Beneficiaries of Defensive Holding
Week 2 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Location, Down & Distance: BAL28, 2nd & 6
Penalized: Jack Jones
Result of Play: L. Jackson sacked by R. Spillane for no gain
Extended Drive Length: 8 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 67 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | Derrick Henry 3-yard rushing TD
Week 4 vs. Buffalo Bills
Location, Down & Distance: BUF5, 2nd & 5
Penalized: Rasul Douglas
Result of Play: L. Jackson pass incomplete to R. Bateman
Extended Drive Length: 2 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 2 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | D. Henry no gain, fumbles, recovered by P. Ricard in end zone, TD
Week 6 vs. Washington Commanders
Location, Down & Distance: BAL27, 1st & 15
Penalized: Noah Igbinoghene
Result of Play: L. Jackson pass incomplete to R. Bateman
Extended Drive Length: 9 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 68 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | L. Jackson pass complete to M. Andrews, 13-yard TD
Week 7 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Location, Down & Distance: BAL45, 1st & 10
Penalized: Greg Gaines
Result of Play: D. Henry 8-yard rush
Extended Drive Length: 3 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 47 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | L. Jackson to R. Bateman for 49-yard touchdown
Week 9 vs. Denver Broncos
Location, Down & Distance: DEN24, 1st & 10
Penalized: Patrick Surtain II
Result of Play: L. Jackson pass incomplete
Extended Drive Length: 4 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: -5 yards
Result of Drive: Field Goal | J. Tucker 33-yard FG good
Week 9 vs. Denver Broncos
Location, Down & Distance: BAL42, 1st & 10
Penalized: Riley Moss
Result of Play: L. Jackson pass incomplete
Extended Drive Length: 1 play
Extended Drive Yardage: 53 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | L. Jackson pass complete to Z. Flowers for 53-yard TD
Week 11 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Location, Down & Distance: BAL20, 1st & 10
Penalized: Patrick Queen
Result of Play: L. Jackson sacked for 0 yards by I. Loudermilk
Extended Drive Length: 6 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 75 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | D. Henry 1-yard rush TD
Week 13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Location, Down & Distance: BAL38, 3rd & 5
Penalized: Avonte Maddox
Result of Play: L. Jackson sacked by J. Sweat for 0 yards
Extended Drive Length: 5 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 46 yards
Result of Drive: Field Goal | J. Tucker 34 yard FG good
Week 13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Location, Down & Distance: BAL13, 3rd & 2
Penalized: Cooper DeJean
Result of Play: D. Henry 5-yard rush
Extended Drive Length: 5 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 16 yards
Result of Drive: Punt | J. Stout punts 42 yards, B. Covey 10-yard return
WC vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Location, Down & Distance: BAL36, 2nd & 13
Penalized: Joey Porter Jr.
Result of Play: L. Jackson scrambles 20 yards
Extended Drive Length: 5 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 44 yards
Result of Drive: Touchdown | D. Henry 8-yard rush TD
WC vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Location, Down & Distance: PIT40, 2nd & 7
Penalized: Joey Porter Jr.
Result of Play: L. Jackson complete to M. Andrews, 6 yards
Extended Drive Length: 6 plays
Extended Drive Yardage: 21 yards
Result of Drive: Kneel | End of Game
RESULTS
On 11 occasions, Ravens’ opponents commit defensive holding infractions. Of those, seven times the Ravens scored a touchdown and twice they went on to score a field goal.
- Against the Raiders, they would’ve faced a 2nd & 1. The impact of the drive is unlikely to be felt from the automatic first down as the Ravens boasted the NFL’s best rushing attack.
- The second touchdown has no impact from the automatic first-down rule as the infraction occurred on 2nd & 5. The first-down marker is reached with the penalty yardage.
- The third touchdown against the Commanders is likely unimpeded due to the automatic first-down rule. The Ravens were facing a 1st & 15. Either way, they face a 1st & 10 with or without automatic first-down.
- The fourth touchdown against the Buccaneers is likely unimpeded due to the automatic first-down rule. The Ravens gained eight yards on the play and the penalty yardage added would reach the first-down marker.
- The fifth touchdown against the Broncos is likely unimpeded due to the automatic first-down rule. The Ravens would’ve faced a 1st & 5. The Ravens scored a 53-yard touchdown the next play and did so from the same down and field distance. But added the benefit of the yardage.
- The sixth touchdown against the Steelers is likely unimpeded due to the automatic first-down rule. The Ravens would’ve faced a 1st & 5 as the infraction occurred on 1st & 10.
- The seventh touchdown against the Steelers in the Wild Card Round is impacted by the automatic first-down rule. With the infraction occurring on 2nd & 13, the Ravens were granted a benefit on both down and distance rather than facing a 2nd & 7.
Overall, the results of these infractions when the Ravens are beneficiaries are not impacted by the automatic first-down rule. Only once in seven occurrences did they greatly benefit.