Lowering the Head to Initiate Contact

Definition

It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with his helmet against an opponent. The rule applies to all players on the field at all times, and contact does not have to be to an opponent's head or neck area; lowering the head and initiating contact to an opponent's torso, hips or lower body is also a penalty.

Outcome

15 yards. If committed on defense; automatic first down. The player may be disqualified.

2020 Stats

Penalties By Week

Note: Offsetting and Declined penalties are ignored, except where specified.

Scroll left and right for additional columns.

Week	Games	Total Count	Penalty Yards	Home	Away	Offsetting
1	16	3	45	1	2	2
2	16	2	30	2	0	1
4	15	0	0	0	0	1
5	14	1	15	0	1	0
6	14	1	15	1	0	0
7	14	4	60	1	3	0
8	14	1	9	1	0	0
9	14	4	60	3	1	0
10	14	3	39	1	2	0
11	14	2	30	2	0	0
12	16	3	42	0	3	0
14	16	2	24	0	2	0
15	16	3	31	3	0	1
16	16	1	15	0	1	0
17	16	2	30	1	1	1
Divisional Playoffs	4	1	7	0	1	0
Conference Championships	2	1	3	0	1	0
Totals	231	34	455	16	18	6

Penalties By Week - Per Game

Note: Offsetting and Declined penalties are ignored, except where specified.

Scroll left and right for additional columns.

Week	Games	Total Count	Penalty Yards	Home	Away	Offsetting
1	16	0.19	2.81	0.06	0.13	0.13
2	16	0.13	1.88	0.13	0	0.06
4	15	0	0	0	0	0.07
5	14	0.07	1.07	0	0.07	0
6	14	0.07	1.07	0.07	0	0
7	14	0.29	4.29	0.07	0.21	0
8	14	0.07	0.64	0.07	0	0
9	14	0.29	4.29	0.21	0.07	0
10	14	0.21	2.79	0.07	0.14	0
11	14	0.14	2.14	0.14	0	0
12	16	0.19	2.63	0	0.19	0
14	16	0.13	1.5	0	0.13	0
15	16	0.19	1.94	0.19	0	0.06
16	16	0.06	0.94	0	0.06	0
17	16	0.13	1.88	0.06	0.06	0.06
Divisional Playoffs	4	0.25	1.75	0	0.25	0
Conference Championships	2	0.5	1.5	0	0.5	0
Totals	231	2.91	33.12	1.07	1.81	0.38