NFL Changes Conversion Rules

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The NFL will move back extra-point kicks this season and also allow defenses to score on failed conversion attempts.

The league owners, meeting Tuesday in San Francisco, approved the competition committee’s proposal to snap the ball on extra-point kicks from the 15-yard line. The ball previously was placed on the 2 and conversions rarely failed.

On two-point conversion attempts starting in the 2015 season, the ball will still be placed at the 2, but the defense will now be allowed to return an interception or a fumble to the other end zone for two points. A blocked point-after try also can be returned for a score. A similar rule is in place in college football.

The extra-point change is in effect for the 2015 season and could be reviewed in the future. It passed in a 30-2 vote, with the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins the only teams voting against it.