Brian Daboll Exposed NFL Rules Loophole By Taking A Dumb Penalty On Purpose In Crucial Moment

New York Giants Penalty Loophole Brian Daboll
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Brian Daboll exposed a loophole with the NFL rulebook to give the New York Giants one final offensive possession during Monday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He intentionally put 12 players on the field to draw a penalty on purpose.

Unfortunately, his strategic move did not work because Daniel Jones threw an interception.

Pittsburgh handed the ball off to Najee Harris on 1st-and-10 with two minutes and 53 seconds left in the fourth quarter. A gain of seven yards put New York in a tricky spot.

Brian Daboll had three timeouts at his disposal and used the first right away. The clock stopped with 2:47 remaining.

Here is where the loophole comes into the equation.

The Giants could not allow the Steelers to get another first down on their own. It would’ve effectively ended the game.

To give his team another chance, Daboll sent 12 players onto the field for 2nd-and-3.

Officials blew the play dead prior to the snap. New York was penalized for having too many players on the field. The five-yard penalty gave Pittsburgh a first down without taking any time off of the clock.

Because the penalty was called before the snap, it was automatically enforced on a “no play.” The penalty was not able to be declined.

The Giants had two timeouts remaining and the two-minute warning, which allowed them to stop the clock after three-straight plays and force a punt.

  • Timeout #1 by NYG
    • 2:47
  • Penalty on NYG
    • 2:47
  • Najee Harris three-yard run
  • Timeout #2 by NYG
    • 2:41
  • Jaylen Warren two-yard run
  • Timeout #3 by NYG
    • 2:36
  • Russell Wilson three-yard run
  • Two-Minute warning
    • 2:00
  • Steelers punt

If New York did not take the intentional penalty, Pittsburgh could’ve iced the game with a first down. Instead, because of the unique NFL rules loophole and subsequent defensive stop, the Giants got the ball back with one minute and 53 seconds left in the four quarter.

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman did not pick up on the clock management strategy but Peyton and Eli Manning recognized exactly what Daboll was doing in real-time!

All of the strategic shenanigans ultimately proved irrelevant because Daniel Jones threw a pick to end an eight-play, 58-yard drive and the game. The New York Giants dropped to 2-6.

Grayson Weir BroBible editor avatar
Senior Editor at BroBible covering all five major sports and every niche sport imaginable, found primarily in the college space. I don't drink coffee, I wake up jacked.