PALM BEACH, Fla. --The league meetings concluded Wednesday with five of seven playing rule proposals adopted by the owners, most notably the expansion of the new postseason overtime rules into the regular season.
In the playoffs, both teams now get an offensive possession unless the receiving team scores a touchdown on the first series. The NFL had two overtime playoff games in 2011, the Denver-Pittsburgh Wild Card game and the NFC title game between the Giants and 49ers.
Other adopted playing rules were: adding a loss of down penalty for illegally kicking a loose ball; making too many men in formation a dead-ball foul; making recipient of a crack-back block a defenseless player; and replay officials intitiating reviews of certain turnovers.
The two proposals that did not pass were adjustment of the "horse collar" tackle on quarterbacks and reviewing instant replay in the booth, not the sideline.
The owners also adopted two by-laws: making Thanksgiving and Christmas Day customary business days for player personnel transactions; and adjusting the date for roster cuts to coincide with the change in date of the season kickoff game.
The league has tabled by-law proposals for a 90-man roster limit; an injured reserve exception that would allow a player to return later in the season; and extension of the trade deadline until Week 8.
