New NFL kickoff rule leads to nine touchbacks in 2024 season opener

The two returns, both by the Chiefs, didn't carry much momentum. Carson Steele made it 28 yards to the 33-yard line. Mecole Hardman made it 31 yards on the second-half kickoff, but a Chiefs holding penalty pushed them back to the 19. Two Ravens kickoffs in the fourth quarter both ended in touchbacks. All six of Kansas City's kickoffs went into the end zone.

We saw some glimpses of potential on the two returns, including KC double-covering the middle Ravens defender to open up an alley, but with all the shots into the end zone, there were too few to achieve anything exotic.

Hopefully the final 15 games of opening week will add some momentum to a play that the NFL admitted was no longer viable before the change. The takeaway from the first game, however, is that we're likely to get a lot of touchbacks left, especially toward the end of games.