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Under older NFL rules, it was legal, even if unusual, to line up for an extra point kick but make a try for the endzone to score two points.

The linked question and answer are from before a considerable rule change in the NFL. Before, either play would happen from the 2. Now, kicks are from the 15 and two-point tries are from the 2.

Is it still possible to run a fake kick to try for the two-point conversion? The discussion here does not clarify.

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  • Also: sports.stackexchange.com/questions/12493/…
    – BowlOfRed
    Jul 28 at 17:07
  • The rules don't specify. I have a firm opinion about what would likely happen, but the 2022 rulebook appears to be silent on it.
    – BowlOfRed
    Jul 28 at 17:08
  • @BowlOfRed If the rules do not specify, I would think it’s business as usual: if you punch it in, you get the points that go along with doing so. What is your take?
    – Dave
    Jul 28 at 17:18
  • This was answered in the Cowboys - Patriots game, check here.
    – treuss
    Oct 4 at 20:40

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A discussion of the opposite play (a kick attempted from the run/pass starting position) on footballzebras.com notes that the rulebook does not specify this, but declares that this would be legal and still valid for 2 points.

If a team attempts a kick that does not snap from the 15 (or equivalent yard line after a penalty), it is a touchback, and the conversion attempt fails.

On the other hand, if the line of scrimmage is set for a kick, the offense may still run or pass for two points, particularly if there is a botched snap.

This agrees with my personal opinion of what should happen on the field.

Per ESPN, on October 1, 2023, Dallas became the first team to score 2 points on a fake field goal try since the attempts were relocated. (They do point out that the Browns scored 2 on a blocked attempt in 2019).

This happened during the 2023 week 4 matchup between the Patriots and Cowboys. After a Cowboys touchdown early in the 2nd quarter, Dallas lined up for a try in the field goal formation from the 15. Instead of a kick, the team threw a forward pass and was able to move the ball into the end zone. The successful try was awarded two points. NFL video on youtube.

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  • +1 It seems like we’re in agreement that it’s business as usual: punching it in again after a touchdown warrants two points. It does seem like a strange strategy to go for two from so far out, but teams fake punts on 4th and long, so maybe the element of surprise is appealing to some coaches.
    – Dave
    Jul 28 at 17:37
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    The much more likely situation is that mentioned in the answer: a botched snap and the holder running it in (or similar)
    – Philip Kendall ♦
    Jul 28 at 20:37
  • Does the “touchback” in the quote mean that it would automatically be the opponent’s ball without a kickoff?
    – Dave
    Jul 29 at 22:22
  • No. Just the try would fail. After the try is over, a free kick would be used to put the ball in play.
    – BowlOfRed
    Jul 30 at 3:41
  • It happened! Answer accepted!
    – Dave
    Oct 3 at 13:42

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