In a game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens were called for multiple illegal formation penalties on their opening drive, primarily due to their offensive tackles lining up too far behind the line of scrimmage. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley was penalized four times for this infraction. The NFL rulebook states that seven players must be on the line of scrimmage before the snap, with offensive tackles typically required to have their helmet at the waist of the center. This rule allows them to be a step or two behind the line to anticipate pass rushers. Last year, the Chiefs’ right tackle was criticized for lining up illegally but was not consistently penalized. This year, the NFL has made it a point of emphasis for officials to flag offensive tackles who try to gain extra room at the line of scrimmage. The Chiefs were the first team to benefit from this rule enforcement in the game against the Ravens. The referees are now closely monitoring offensive tackles to ensure they comply with the rule, preventing them from putting opposing defenders at a disadvantage.
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The reasons behind the Ravens’ repeated illegal formation penalties against the Chiefs
