NFL could change challenge rule for playoffs

• Controversy was sparked by 81-yard run by Texans' Justin Forsett against Lions on Thanksgiving
• Play was ruled a TD, although Forsett's knee and elbow touched the ground
• But by challenging a scoring play, which is automatically reviewed, Lions were penalized and TD stood

There's little debate that a bizarre rule -- which allowed the Houston Texans to score game-swinging touchdown on Thanksgiving because an ill-advised challenge flag was thrown -- will be changed.

The big question: When?

Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations and co-chairman of the competition committee, told USA TODAY Sports that he expects the rule could be revised in time for the playoffs -- if not sooner.

"The league and the competition committee is usually very hesitant to change a rule, midstream, because of the competitive ramifications," Anderson said Saturday. "So it's unlikely to happen now, but the competition committee will give it some thought. More likely, the committee will want to wait until the season is over.

"Maybe it can be changed for the playoffs, which everybody considers to be a new season."

A rule tweak wouldn't change the basics of the challenge system, which mandates that all scoring plays and turnovers are automatically reviewed. It would address the portion of the rule that disqualifies a team from benefiting from an instant replay reversal if the red challenge is thrown illegally.

A tweak might dictate that an illegal challenge costs a team 15 yards while allowing for an instant replay review to still overturn a play, if needed.

"It's a problem that can be corrected," Anderson said of the rule. "I don't think the intent is to be so harsh that it prevents us from getting the call right."

The committee will convene during NFL meetings on Dec. 12 but will likely discuss tweaking the rule well before then. Anderson said the committee's next conference could occur as soon as this week.

The issue was ignited by Justin Forsett's 81-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions, which was allowed to stand despite replays showing the runner's knee and elbow touched the turf about 7 yards into the run. Forsett immediately sprung to the turf and continued to run. There was no whistle stopping the play.

When Lions coach Jim Schwartz threw his red flag to challenge the call, however, he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. The play was due to be reviewed without a coach's challenge, as all scoring plays and turnovers are automatically reviewed.

Forsett's touchdown wasn't reviewed because the rule stipulates that an illegal challenge nullifies the penalized team from benefiting from a replay review.

"For us, the main thing is that we want to get the call right," Anderson said. "What happened was an unintended consequence of the rule."

Anderson said the rule was written to prevent coaches from throwing a challenge flag to manipulate timing. He said an example would be a coach using a challenge rather than a timeout to contemplate a strategic move.

Yet on back-to-back weekends, the rule prevented the NFL from using replay to get a call right. It may have cost the Lions the game, as they fell in overtime. Four days earlier, Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith was flagged for an illegal challenge during a victory against the Arizona Cardinals -- although it's unclear whether the turnover that prompted Smith's reaction would have been reversed.

"After the two incidents, I'd venture to guess it won't happen again this season," Anderson said. "Lord, I'd pity the coach if it does happen again."

NFL owners would have to ultimately pass the rule with at least 24 votes. Typically, owners follow the recommendation by the competition committee on such matters.