NFL Penalty Tracker
Menu

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.
WeekGamesTotal CountPenalty YardsHomeAwayDeclinedOffsetting
1163451202
2162302001
415000001
5141150100
6141151000
7144601300
814191000
9144603100
10143391200
11142302000
12163420300
14162240200
15163313001
16161150100
17162301101
Divisional Playoffs4170100
Conference Championships2130100
Totals23134455161806

Penalties By Week - Per Game

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

Scroll left and right for additional columns.
WeekGamesTotal CountPenalty YardsHomeAwayDeclinedOffsetting
1160.192.810.060.1300.13
2160.131.880.13000.06
415000000.07
5140.071.0700.0700
6140.071.070.07000
7140.294.290.070.2100
8140.070.640.07000
9140.294.290.210.0700
10140.212.790.070.1400
11140.142.140.14000
12160.192.6300.1900
14160.131.500.1300
15160.191.940.19000.06
16160.060.9400.0600
17160.131.880.060.0600.06
Divisional Playoffs40.251.7500.2500
Conference Championships20.51.500.500
Totals2312.9133.121.071.8100.38