How does instant replay work in the NFL?
What can be reviewed
Reviewable plays include scoring plays, turnovers, plays inside the two-minute warning of each half, and all overtime plays, which are automatically reviewed by the replay official. Coaches can challenge other specific rulings, such as whether a catch was complete, whether a player was down by contact, or the spot of the ball.
Some calls are not reviewable, including penalties (except for certain administrative ones), and judgment calls like holding or pass interference (though pass interference was briefly reviewable in 2019 and then reverted). The list of reviewable plays is set by the NFL rulebook and can change slightly from year to year.
- Scoring plays
- Turnovers
- Plays inside two-minute warning
- Overtime plays
- Coach challenges on specific rulings
How a challenge works
Each team gets two challenges per game, and a third if the first two are successful. To challenge, a coach throws a red flag onto the field before the next snap. The referee then goes to a sideline monitor to review the play.
If the challenge is successful, the team keeps the challenge and the ruling is changed. If it fails, the team loses a timeout. If a team is out of timeouts, it cannot challenge. In the final two minutes of each half and in overtime, only the replay official in the booth can initiate a review, not the coaches.
The review process and outcomes
The referee consults with the replay official in the league's command center in New York, who can provide additional angles and input. The referee then announces the decision to the stadium and TV audience.
The standard for overturning a call is 'clear and obvious evidence.' If the video is inconclusive, the ruling on the field stands. The referee can also confirm the call, meaning the video supported the original decision, or let it stand, meaning there was not enough evidence to change it.
Common mistakes
- Thinking coaches can challenge any play; many calls, like penalties, are not reviewable.
- Believing a coach can challenge inside the two-minute warning; only the replay official can initiate reviews then.
- Assuming a failed challenge costs a timeout only if the team has one; if not, the challenge is not allowed.
