4th & Goal?-Give it to the Offense

I was watching the Steelers-Giants game Sunday, and when the Steelers mounted a successful goal line stand, resulting in possession of the ball inside their own 1, an issue that has resided in my mind's recesses reemerged. Why does the offense get penalized when the defense makes a great play (or series of plays) to keep the opponent out of the end zone? It does not seem like justice when the offense's reward is to get the ball at or inside the 1 yard line, immediately giving their opponent a decided advantage.

The NFL should seriously consider a new rule rewarding the team for their efforts by giving them the ball at the 10 yard line. A similar rule already exists for missed field goals. Any field goal try that is missed at or inside the 20 yard line results in the opposing team getting the ball at the 20 to start a new drive. So why does the team whose defense just put it all on the line to keep the opponent out of the end zone have to start their next possession where their defense stopped them?

The new rule would provide that anytime the defense prevents the offense from getting a touchdown or a 1st down on a 4th down try inside the 5 yard line, their offense is awarded the ball at the 10, giving them an opportunity to start their drive outside the shadow of the goalposts. The rule would add a new wrinkle to a coaches decision to go for it. How many times have we heard, "The coach believes in his defense, so he thinks that even if they don't make it, the defense will keep them bottled up." With the new rule, going for it on 4th down inside the 5 will bring a whole new level of drama to the NFL. I believe placing the ball at the 10 is generous enough-otherwise too many coaches will back down from going for the touchdown/first down, removing a thrilling and potentially historical moment from the game.

I'm tired of seeing teams, even good ones, stuck inside their own 1 or 2 yard line, forced to punt, giving the ball right back to the team they just stopped, usually in great field position. The defense, still high-fiving over their hard work, has to go right back out there. Viewed from this perspective, the current rules penalize the offense AND the defense for making a great play. Although there is no official stat available, fans might be curious to know how many times a team went 3 and out after starting a drive inside their own 1 or 2 yard line following a goal-line stand, and how many times a goal line stand was followed by a score on the next possession by the team that was stopped.

Note to Mr. Goodell and the Competition Committee - it's time to loosen things up a bit for the offense, and truly reward the defense for a job well done. Give it to the offense-on the 10.