Since 2011 The NFL Booth Reviews Every Score. A Coach Cannot Challenge One.
Before 2011 the NFL replay booth could only start reviews late in each half and in overtime. Now it reviews every score and every turnover on its own, and coaches cannot challenge them.
A coach's red flag starts most NFL replay reviews. Scores are different. Since 2011 the replay booth has reviewed every scoring play automatically, and a coach is not allowed to challenge one.
Before 2011
The booth could start a review only in the final two minutes of each half and in overtime. Everything else depended on a coach's challenge. In March 2011, owners voted to allow automatic replay of all scoring plays, without a challenge from a coach, according to ProFootballTalk.
2012: turnovers
A year later, owners extended automatic review to every turnover. Steelers.com reported that the Steelers were the only team to vote against it.
What the rulebook says now
Rule 15, Section 1, Article 2 says only the Replay Official or the Senior Vice President of Officiating, or a designee, may start a review of a play:
- 01That begins after the two-minute warning of each half
- 02Throughout any overtime period
- 03When points are scored by either team
- 04That is a try attempt, successful or not
- 05When officials rule an interception, or a fumble or backward pass recovered by the opponent
A team that tries to challenge when it is not permitted to is charged a team timeout.
Quick answers
- Can an NFL coach challenge a touchdown?
- No. Only the Replay Official or the league's officiating department can start a review when points are scored.
- When did the NFL start reviewing every scoring play?
- In 2011. Owners voted that March to allow automatic replay of all scoring plays without a coach's challenge.
- Are turnovers reviewed automatically?
- Yes. Owners added every turnover in 2012, and the current rulebook lists interceptions and fumbles recovered by the opponent as booth-only reviews.
- What happens if a coach throws the red flag on a scoring play?
- Under the 2026 rulebook, a team that initiates a challenge when it is not permitted to is charged a team timeout.
Sources
- 2026 Official Playing Rules of the National Football League
- ProFootballTalk, Owners embrace replay for all scoring plays (2011)
- Steelers.com, Replay extended to all turnovers (2012)
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