NE@KC: Another pylon puzzler

The existing rule awards ball carriers with a touchdown for touching any part of a pylon (even reaching the ball over it), regardless of the fact that pylons are positioned in out-of-bounds territory (see first image below).

Here Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill takes advantage of everything the rule allows, banging the ball on the pylon’s outer edge, then dropping it as he lands out of bounds. The end zone goes untouched and, as announcer Jim Nantz excitedly concedes, “They rule it a touchdown,” What a country. Hocus Bogus rating: 4.5

LAC@TB: Power move at the pylon

Yes, Tampa Bay RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn makes a strong move at the left pylon and breaks the plane as he flies out of bounds. That’s a touchdown by the existing rule — Tom Brady’s fifth scoring pass in this 38-31 shootout with Chargers’ rookie QB Justin Herbert, who tossed three TD passes.

But because Vaughn makes no contact with the end zone, we would rule this a Nix Six and give the Buccaneers third-and-goal from inside the 1. Rating: 3.5