these are the new rules
• A recommendation to eliminate force-out decisions on pass completions
near the sidelines was approved. Now, officials will only have to
decide whether a receiver landed in bounds or not. The intended result
is more consistency.
• The "Phil Dawson field goal rule" change passed. Now, certain field
goals can be reviewed by instant replay, including kicks that bounce
off the uprights. Under the previous system, no field goals could be
replayed.
• Coaches can now defer a decision on the opening coin toss. This is
similar to the college rule. Previously, the winner of the coin toss
could only choose to receive or kick off.
• A direct snap from center that goes backward will now be treated as a fumble. Previously, it was ruled a false start.
• The 5-yard face mask penalty was eliminated. Now, only the serious
face mask will be called (and will be assessed as a 15-yard penalty).
The major foul will involve twisting or grabbing the face mask.