What Does PAT Mean in Football: Decoding the Points After Touchdown

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In American Football, a variety of terms and abbreviations are used to describe various aspects of the game. One such abbreviation is PAT, but what does PAT mean in football? PAT stands for Point(s) After Touchdown. This term refers to the additional scoring opportunity that a team receives immediately following a touchdown. Understanding the concept and significance of a PAT is vital for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of American football.

A touchdown, as many fans know, results in six points being awarded to the scoring team. After registering a touchdown, the team then has a chance to earn extra points through the PAT. There are essentially two types of PATs – the field goal PAT and the two-point conversion. The field goal PAT is more commonly referred to as an extra point or a try. In 2015, the NFL changed the extra point distance from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line. If the Field Goal PAT, or extra point is successful, the team will be rewarded one “extra” point. On the other hand, the two-point conversion presents the team with a single attempt to get the ball into the end zone from the two-yard line, resulting in a two-point conversion if executed successfully.

Over the years, there have been several rule changes and adaptations related to the PAT. These changes and adaptations have influenced game strategies and outcomes. As such, the PAT carries significant weight in determining the final scores of football games. A successful or unsuccessful PAT can often make the difference between victory or defeat.

Understanding PAT

Point After Touchdown

PAT, or Point After Touchdown, is an action in football that follows a touchdown. After a team scores a touchdown, they are awarded six points. In addition to this, the scoring team has an opportunity to earn more points by either kicking a field goal or attempting a two-point conversion.

Extra Point

An extra point, or field goal PAT, is a one-point opportunity for the team that just scored a touchdown. To score the extra point, the team must successfully complete a short kick. Unless penalties are enforced, the kick for the extra point is from a set distance. In the NFL, the ball used to be placed on the 2-yard line. Since 2015, it’s snapped at the 15-yard line, making the PAT equivalent to a 32-yard field goal.

Two-Point Conversion

An alternative to the extra point is the two-point conversion. With this option, the team that scored a touchdown attempts to get the ball back into the end zone from the 2-yard line in either a pass or run play. If they are successful, the team will be awarded two additional points. The two-point conversion has been part of youth, high school, and college football many years. It was introduced in college football in 1958. In the NFL, teams can also fake a PAT kick and attempt a two-point conversion instead. However, the offense will have to snap the ball at the 15-yard line and complete a throw or run into the end zone from there.

By understanding the concept of PAT in football, you can better appreciate the strategy and skill involved in scoring additional points after a touchdown.

History of PAT

The Point After Touchdown (PAT) has a rich history in the sport of football. Also known as an extra point, or try. There are two types of PATs: a field goal PAT, worth one point, and a two-point conversion.

The PAT’s originated in rugby, in which a similar action called a “conversion” is performed after a try is scored. When football began evolving from rugby in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the PAT was included.

In the early years of football, the rules and regulations regarding the PAT varied. Teams would attempt to kick a field goal-like PAT, but there were no set specifications for the distance. Successful attempts often only counted for a single point. As the game evolved, the rules became more standardized. From there, the distance for a PAT was set at a consistent point on the field.

Where is the Football Placed?

Originally, the ball was placed on the 2-yard line in the NFL for the PAT attempt. And at the 3-yard line in college and high school for the PAT attempt. However, rule changes later altered the distance for the kick. The introduction of the two-point conversion greatly impacted how teams played the game and strategized their post-touchdown plays. This greatly affected the PAT’s frequency and prominence.

In 1958, the NCAA offered the two-point conversion, providing an alternative to the traditional PAT kick. Teams could attempt to score by running or passing from the 2 or 3-yard line and receive two points instead of one. The NFL eventually followed suit in 1994, implementing the two-point conversion into their rulebook.

As the PAT evolved, additional rule changes were made to the play. In 2015, the NFL moved the line of scrimmage for PAT kicks back to the 15-yard line. Thus making it a 33-yard attempt instead of the 20-yard effort it had previously been. This added an extra layer of difficulty and excitement to the game, as the potential reward became more significant.

To sum up, the PAT has gone through numerous changes over the years, adapting to the evolving strategies and dynamics of football. It remains a vital part of the game, providing teams with additional opportunities to score and enhancing the overall excitement and competitiveness of the sport.

PAT Success Rates

The PAT, or Point After Touchdown, is a crucial element in American football games. Consisting of either one or two-point conversions, a team’s success with its PAT attempts can significantly impact the outcome of games. In this section, we will discuss the success rates of both field goal PATs and two-point conversions.

Field goal PATs are worth one point and involve the kicker aiming to kick the ball through the goalposts. The ball is placed on the 15-yard line, and the success of these attempts is generally high. Before the NFL’s rule change in 2015, the success rate for extra points was around 99%. However, after the rule change, which moved the extra point from a 20-yard to a 33-yard attempt, the success rate dropped to around 94.4%.

Two-point conversions, on the other hand, are worth two points and require the offensive team to score a touchdown-like play from the two-yard line. The success rates for these attempts are lower than those for field goal PATs. Historically, the NFL has seen two-point conversions succeed at a rate of about 48-50%, though this number can vary from season to season and between teams.

To provide a clearer picture, here are some key statistics:

  • Field goal PAT success rate (pre-2015 NFL rule change): 99%
  • Field goal PAT success rate (post-2015 NFL rule change): 94.4%
  • Two-point conversion success rate: 48-50%

As seen from these numbers, PAT success rates can be an important factor in the overall scoring strategy utilized by teams. Coaches must carefully consider whether to attempt a one-point field goal PAT or take the riskier approach of attempting a two-point conversion to maximize their team’s scoring potential.

Notable PAT Records

In American football, the point after touchdown (PAT) is an integral part of scoring. Players and teams have achieved impressive records in this aspect of the game. Here are a few notable PAT records:

Most Consecutive PATs Made

Kickers are often under immense pressure to successfully complete PATs, and some have showcased incredible consistency. The all-time NFL record for most consecutive PATs made is held by Stephen Gostkowski, who successfully made 479 PATs in a row from 2006 to 2016.

Most PATs in a Single Season

In a single NFL season, kickers have the opportunity to set remarkable PAT records. The most PATs made in a single season is 74, achieved by Stephen Gostkowski in 2007 when playing for the New England Patriots.

Most Career PATs

Some kickers show incredible longevity and skill in successfully making PATs throughout their careers. Morten Andersen holds the record for the most career PATs made in the NFL, with a total of 849 PATs from 1982 to 2007.

Most PATs in a Single Game

Teams occasionally have high-scoring games, which leads to opportunities for kickers to make numerous PATs in a single game. The NFL record for most PATs made in a single game is held by Stephen Gostkowski, who made 8 PATs on September 30, 2007. However, the all-time professional football record is held by Ernie Nevers, who made 9 PATs in a single game in 1924 while playing for the Chicago Cardinals.

Blocked and Returned PATs

The defense can sometimes prevent a successful PAT by blocking or intercepting the kick. The most PATs blocked and returned for two points is held by Eric Weddle, who accomplished this feat twice during his career with the San Diego Chargers in 2014 and the Baltimore Ravens in 2017.

Controversy and Rule Changes

In recent years, there have been changes to the PAT (point after touchdown) rule in football that sparked controversy among players, coaches, and fans. The modifications aimed to increase the difficulty and excitement of the extra point play.

One of the significant changes implemented by the NFL in 2015 was moving the line of scrimmage for the extra point kick from the 2-yard line to the 15-yard line. This shift increased the distance of the extra point kick to 33 yards instead of the original 20-yard distance, making the play more challenging for kickers.

The impact of this change was felt almost immediately:

  • There was an increase in the number of missed extra points, adding drama to games and prompting strategic adjustments in coaching decisions.
  • Two-point conversion attempts became a more appealing option for teams seeking additional points, as the risk-reward scenario shifted with the longer distance for extra point kicks.

It’s worth noting that the discussion around the rule change wasn’t entirely negative. Some felt that the adjustment added an element of unpredictability to the game, creating excitement and intrigue for spectators. However, others felt that the change was unnecessary and only served to further disadvantage kickers.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the PAT rule change showcases the ongoing debate over the balance between preserving football’s traditional aspects and the desire to evolve the game for modern audiences.