NFL's officiating 'point of emphasis' nearly burns Eagles on game-sealing drive

When it comes to NFL officials, each new season comes with a theme: A new "point of emphasis" that miffs players, angers coaches and makes the game hard to watch for fans at home due to an abundance of flag-induced stoppages.

Through two regular season games and the preseason, the NFL’s 2024 point of emphasis has been just as annoying as years past.

Flags flew in Thursday’s NFL opener between the Ravens and Chiefs for illegal formation on offense, the officials particularly targeting tackles who lean, or take an extra half step, in their pre-snap stance. Baltimore, for example, was flagged for illegal formation three times on its first drive alone on Thursday night — all on offensive linemen.

That same penalty nearly burned the Philadelphia Eagles Friday night as they grinded out a 16-play, clock-killing drive that effectively sealed a 34-29 win over the Packers in Brazil.

Leading by that same score with 4:51 remaining in regulation, quarterback Jalen Hurts hit running back Kenneth Gainwell with a short pass that was enough for a first down at the Green Bay 45 yard line. The play was nullified, however, by an illegal formation penalty on Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson. On the NFL broadcast on Peacock , it was described that Johnson’s helmet “failed to break the beltline” of center Cam Jurgens on the play.

Had the Eagles been forced to punt — the drive wound up being extended two plays later by a Green Bay defensive holding penalty — a potential win could have been stripped due, in part, to a penalty that Johnson likely had no idea he was committing. How does an offensive tackle make sure his stance is aligned with the center’s beltline, anyway?

Brazilian fans may not have noticed, but the flags were flying all night. The Eagles-Packers game had a combined 17 accepted penalties for 128 yards. Don't expect that to slow down anytime soon, either.

Illegal formation penalties, explained

The NFL has fairly simple illegal formation rules for the offense. There are three principles by which the offense must abide, according to the NFL's official rulebook :

• It must have seven or more players on the line;
• Eligible receivers must be on both ends of the line, and all of the players on the line between them must be ineligible receivers;
• No player may be out of bounds.

"The line" is a reference to the line of scrimmage, where each of the team's five offensive linemen must be aligned before the play. If they are behind the line, they can be flagged for an illegal formation, which results in a five-yard penalty.

In the past, NFL officials gave a little leeway to players on the end of the offensive line. That meant tackles could be a half-step to a step further back of the line and typically, a penalty wouldn't be called.

Because of the NFL's point of emphasis, offensive tackles are being evaluated under heavier scrutiny. They must have their helmet aligned with at least the belt line of the center to avoid being flagged.

MORE EAGLES NEWS:

Score one for Kellen Moore in Eagles’ 34-29 win over Packers in Week 1

Eagles Saquon Barkley toasts LB Quay Walker for second TD as Eagle

Brutal first quarter for Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Packers in Brazil

‘Yo!’ is Philly: The significance behind Philadelphia Eagles’ epic hype video

Philadelphia Eagles inactives vs. Packers includes a surprise as healthy scratch