NFL Scoring Rules

Offensive touchdowns

• The most points that can be scored on any single play in an NFL game is six, which happens when a touchdown is made. Touchdowns occur when an offensive or defensive player takes the football into an opponent's end zone. On offense, this is accomplished by rule when any part of the football crosses the imaginary plane of the goal line. Runners need only get the very nose of the ball into the end zone to score six points, while receivers can catch a forward pass while in the end zone or catch one outside the end zone and then advance the ball past the goal line. Receivers that catch a ball in the end zone must have possession of the ball and have both feet in bounds for a touchdown to be called. Kickoffs and punts can also be returned for touchdowns by the receiving team, following the same scoring rules as the offense does.

Defensive touchdowns

• The defense can also score a touchdown under NFL scoring rules. This is accomplished in different ways. A defensive player can recover a fumble outside the end zone and then advance it over the plane of the goal line, or they can recover a fumbled football in the end zone and score a touchdown. For the latter to be the case, the defensive player must clearly possess the football and be in bounds. Defensive players can intercept an offensive pass and then return it into the opponent's end zone for a touchdown. Blocked field goals and punts can be picked up by the defensive side and under scoring rules advanced into the opposing end zone for a touchdown.

Two point conversions

• After a touchdown has been scored, the scoring team has the option under NFL rules to attempt a one-point conversion or a two-point conversion. On a two-point conversion try, the ball is spotted on the two yard line and the team that just scored must advance the ball successfully into the end zone. The same rules that apply to touchdowns apply to this two-point conversion, with the ball having to break the plane of the goal for the points to be awarded. On a fumbled or intercepted two-point conversion attempt in the NFL, the ball is dead and cannot be advanced for points by the defensive side, unlike the college game where the ball can be advanced.

Extra points

• On a one-point conversion, also called an extra point or a point after touchdown, the ball is spotted at the two yard line. During the extra point, the ball must be kicked through the uprights that are on the back line of the end zone. If the ball fails to go through or hits the uprights and rebounds back onto the field before going through them, then the point is no good. On a very high kick, if any part of the ball goes over the upright, then the point is counted. The NFL rules on extra points state that if the kicker is roughed during the attempt and the point is no good, then the offensive team will get another try. Another rule states that if a penalty is called on the offense during a touchdown after the touchdown has been declared good, then the extra point will take place from a spot after that penalty has been marked off, making it a longer kick.

Field goals

• A field goal is worth three points. A team will attempt a field goal when they are close enough to the opposing end zone that they feel their kicker can kick the ball through the uprights. Field goals are subject to the same NFL scoring rules as extra points in regards to going through, over or off the uprights. If a field goal hits the crossbar or the goal posts and then falls through, it is declared good. However, the defensive side can attempt to return a missed field goal for a touchdown.

Safeties

• A safety in the NFL is worth two points and can occur in different scenarios. For example, if on offensive player makes an attempt to punt the ball near his own end zone and a defensive player blocks it through and out of the end zone, two points are awarded to the defensive team. A safety by rule can also be scored when a ball carrier is tackled in their own end zone, a ball carrier steps out of bounds before leaving their own end zone, the football is snapped, fumbled or lateraled out of the end zone or if an opponent kneels down with the football or falls on the ball in their own end zone. A safety is also awarded when the offensive team attempts a play from their own end zone and penalties such as intentional grounding or offensive holding are called.