Report: NFL tested technology to track 1st downs during games including Super Bowl

[DenverChief]

The NFL’s use of technology may finally be used to determine first downs.

Multiple reports out of the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday noted the league tested technology to track first downs during multiple games this past season, including Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

While the optical technology is reportedly not ready to be used for the 2024 season, it could very well be implemented when it is.

If approved, one of the more outdated happenings in sports – sideline chain crews being used – would be obsolete. Despite the use of replay technology and more in the NFL, the league continuously uses chain crews.

Considering how vital first downs are during NFL games, it is fair to say everyone would agree taking the human error part out of determining whether a team picked up a new set of downs would be great.

What the technology is exactly remains to be seen, but it is a truth that the NFL has had the ability to track the football during games. It is used for their Next Gen Stats, and the league says a tracking system is installed at every stadium.

However, the technology is only used for analytics purposes – not to determine downs or anything else in the game.

The technology does not, however, determine when a player is down, whether it be by elbow, knee or any other body part.

Still, players, coaches and everyone involved would likely be open to technology that determines the position of the football instead of going based off an eye test, which can be reviewed by coach’s challenge.

When the technology could possibly be available for use during regular-season games remains to be seen, but it is certainly something to look out for as the league continues to adapt to modern times.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-t...super-bowl.amp

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by CasselGotPeedOn

Put sensors in the players knees...

And their elbows? And their shins? And their asses?

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by DrunkBassGuitar

that seems kinda....pointless?

like how many first downs are taken away or given because the chains were put in the wrong place?

I don't get why people don't understand this. It eliminates the need for a chain gang and the time it takes to bring them out on the field to measure.

[CasselGotPeedOn]

Originally Posted by DaFace

And their elbows? And their shins? And their asses?

Put em everywhere

[Womble]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I don't get why people don't understand this. It eliminates the need for a chain gang and the time it takes to bring them out on the field to measure.

I thought Chain Gang was Yung Joka's rap posse.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Didn't seem to help late in the game when they shorted KC on spots several times down the stretch.

The critical 4th down run by Mahomes shouldn't have even been necessary. Im glad it all worked out the way it did though.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by DaFace

And their elbows? And their shins? And their asses?

You also have to put sensors on every part of the ball too in that case. A sensor just in the middle of the ball does no good. This is another case of people thinking they have the solutions to something while really not even thinking about the complexities of it all.

[Imon Yourside]

How well does it work with deflated footballs?

[seamonster]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I don't get why people don't understand this. It eliminates the need for a chain gang and the time it takes to bring them out on the field to measure.

It's part of the show. Every time they run the chains out they zoom-in on dopey fans and the coaching staff. It's entertainment...But I think they could probably create some kind of machine-learning model that can gauge (with greater than 98% accuracy and low probability of false association) the exact spot that a player goes down. Wouldn't require geo-transmitting chips. Just cameras. And I'd bet that they could perfect it to where they wouldn't need nine thousand cameras everywhere. And if I had to guess that's what they're already doing.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

It's criminal that they and MLB still use pre historic ways to officiate games

[ghak99]

[TinyEvel]

I actually prefer the old school way of having the refs decide. It adds to the variability and human element of the game, plus gives us something to complain about and the challenge flag, etc.

However.

If I was a tech billionaire I'd be working on developing a two-way sensor mesh like a fabric. Put it in the uniforms, put it in the lining of the ball, put it under the turf like carpet padding. Then all that stuff is sensored and trackable: knee down, ball nose location, incomplete pass touched the ground, etc.

[DrunkBassGuitar]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I don't get why people don't understand this. It eliminates the need for a chain gang and the time it takes to bring them out on the field to measure.

You'd still have to have the chaingang though at least holding the markers. It would yeah eliminate the measurement but do they **** it up all that often? Bad spots fall on the ref and this doesn't change that. It might save some time over the course for the game but shit you know that's just gonna be more commercials