2013 NFL season
The 2013 NFL season was the 94th season of American Football in the National Football League ( NFL). The regular season began on September 5, 2013, and ended on December 29, 2013. The playoffs began on January 4, 2014 and ended with the Super Bowl XLVIII on February 2, 2014.
Rule Changes
Prior to this season, there were the following rule changes:
- Should the Head Coach request a video evidence, although the rally is anyway already checked automatically ( Booth Review), the rally is still checked. Punishment with 15 yards remains, since the step is considered unsportsmanlike conduct ( delay of game ). In the nationally televised game on Thanksgiving Day 2012, accused the head coach of the Detroit Lions, Jim Schwartz, the challenge flag after a play in which the running back the Houston Texans, Justin Forsett, with his knee touched the ground, got up and scored a touchdown. The penalty prevented a video evidence and the denial of the touchdowns and the Texans won the game in overtime.
- Long Snapper have the field goal no direct opponent more, they are considered Defenseless Player. In addition, more than six players are not allowed on one side of the ball are ( 5 yards penalty). Players that are not on the line of scrimmage, the opponent may no longer push blockers ( 15 yards penalty).
- The so-called peel -back block, in which a player of the attacking team a player of the defending team below the waist (from the back or side ) makes, as it moves towards its own end zone, was also banned within the tackle box and ends in a 15 yard penalty. The rule was exacerbated because the players did not see coming a block of this type and can not protect themselves. So the linebacker Brian Cushing of the Houston Texans had his 2012 season after a peel -back block from the New York Jets guard Matt Slauson, quit due to an injury.
- Even players of the attacking team be punished if they act with the helmet forward and are outside the tackle box ( 15 yards penalty).
- The number assignment has been slightly modified. Now also tight ends and H -Backs can wear the jersey numbers 40-49.
- The Tuck Rule from the 1999 season was abolished. If a quarterback faking a pass (pump fake ) and the ball loses while he withdraws these to the body, this is considered an Fumble. The old rule repeatedly led to controversial decisions. Most famous is the play-offs game of the Oakland Raiders at the New England Patriots of the season 2001. Later in the Tuck Rule game called game was a pass attempt by quarterback of the Patriots, Tom Brady, considered as an incomplete pass. This decision and the 16:13 victory for the Patriots meant that the game was later elected to one of the most controversial NFL history.
Regular Season
The regular season was marked by historic offensive performances. The Denver Broncos ( 13:3 wins) broke through the first team of NFL history, the 600 - point mark (606) set a new touchdown record (76) and was only the fifth team in three games of the season which is 50 and more points scored. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning broke both the NFL season records for touchdowns (55 ) as well as for space gain ( 5,477 yards). Manning threw also on September 5, 2013 in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens seven touchdowns and set a NFL record. This power was leveled on November 3, 2013 Nick Foles of the Philadelphia Eagles in the game against the Oakland Raiders ( 49:20 ). In this game, Foles scored the maximum possible quarterback rating of 158.3, which at December 15, 2013 also succeeded Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs, again against the Oakland Raiders ( 56:31 ). By Foles and Smith this was best value since 1960 for a total of only 42 or reached 43 times. In addition, the New Orleans Saints put the game against the Dallas Cowboys 40 first downs, which also constituted an NFL record. Finally scored Broncos kicker Matt Prater field goals from 64 yards and improved the previous record by one yard.
Legend:
- The New York Jets finished the season against the Miami Dolphins because of their better record in the AFC Eeast ( Divisional Record) of 3:3 instead of 2:4. The duels ended with a 1-1 record.
- The Cincinnati Bengals were the third-best division winner of the AFC against the Indianapolis Colts because of their 42:28 victory - in a direct duel at week 14
- The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the season against the Baltimore Ravens because of their better record in the AFC North of 4:2 instead of 3:3. The duels ended with a 1-1 record.
- The Atlanta Falcons finished the season in the NFC South against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of their better record in the NFC ( Conference Record ) of 3:9 instead of 2:10. The duels ended with a 1-1 record and both teams had a 1:5 balance in the division.
Special matches
Season Opening
The season opening game, the " kickoff ", was held at the Sports Authority Field at Mile High between the defending champion Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos on September 5, 2013. The Broncos defeated the Ravens clearly with 49:27. Peyton Manning threw seven touchdown passes and set an NFL record with it.
NFL International Series
In the 2013 season for the first time found two games as part of the NFL International Series at Wembley Stadium in London. On September 29, the Minnesota Vikings met the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams were up before this game without a win. The Vikings, in which for the first time quarterback Matt Cassel for the injured Christian Ponder won with 34:27. In the second encounter between the San Francisco 49ers played on October 27, 2013 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and won with 42:10.
Super Bowl XLVIII
The Super Bowl XLVIII, the 48th edition of the Super Bowl, was held on February 2, 2014, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In Super Bowl XLVIII, the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos faced each other. The Seahawks won by 43:8.
Pro Bowl
The Pro Bowl was on January 26, 2014 at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii, discharged. The Team Rice won with 22:21 against Team Sanders. As a Most Valuable Player (MVP) were quarterback Nick Foles ( Offense, Philadelphia Eagles ) and linebacker Derrick Johnson (Defense, Kansas City Chiefs) chosen.
Play-offs
The play-offs were held until February 2, 2014 January 4, 2014.
- The team with the lower number set has home advantage.