Seven of the Falcons’ 11 total drives against the Panthers began after a kickoff, and four of those possessions started at or behind the 20-yard line.

“This new kickoff has presented some challenges with this knuckleball kick,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “It’s presented some challenges if you don’t field those things the right way. If you don’t field it off that one bounce, if you mishandle one little kickoff and you mishandle it a little bit to the right and you get the bad bounce, it’s going to be tough. That’s something that we’ve definitely been locked into and talking about.”

The NFL implemented the “Dynamic Kickoff” rules in 2024, but it tweaked a touchback spot for 2025. The minor remains the 20-yard line. But the major is now the 35-yard line rather than the 30. And then, if a kick is short of the landing zone and therefore not playable in any sense, it’s a 40-yard penalty.

Falcons special teams coordinator Marquice Williams explained why those details have led to the knuckleball, because it wasn’t nearly as common last year and definitely wasn’t in years prior.

“If you kicked a 4.2 (second) hang-time kickoff, and you’re running from the old kickoff, your coverage team would usually be inside the 30-yard line (when it’s) caught it at the 5,” he said. “Now, if you hit that same football and you catch it at the 5-yard line, the coverage team’s at the 40-yard line. So, it’s 10 yards of space. How do you get that space back? You put the ball on the ground or somebody drops the ball. Then, they’re able to react and they’re able to steal yards coverage wise to put them in a better position like the old kickoff rule. So, that’s kind of where it’s coming from.”

Basically, the knuckleball, when not caught or fielded quickly, gives the kickoff team a better opportunity to reach the returner before he can pick up yards. It’s risky because the kick could very well result in a touchback if not executed well, or the coverage may not be close enough if the other team handles the ball without issue. But the reward can clearly be worth it if so.

Best believe, opponents will take any type of advantage they can.

“Since we put that on film, I think it’s definitely something teams are going to try to attack us with,” Brooks said. “It’s just something we got to clean up, and we did a good job this week of practicing it.”