Stronger rules protecting players from injury are allowing older quarterbacks to prolong their NFL careers. Ten weeks into this NFL season, league scoring is booming; as a result, we took a look at how young quarterbacks are lighting up the league. But the league’s new player safety rules and flag-happy referees are also spurring a parallel revolution in the middle of the field: They’re prolonging the careers of aging quarterbacks. Prior to this season, the NFL enacted new rules designed to better protect players. But the stricter “roughing the passer” protections and “unnecessary roughness” flags that address how forcefully and in what way opponents can be hit are forcing NFL defenders to reconsider how they play — or suffer the consequences. In Week 2, after controversial penalties against both teams ultimately led to a 29–29 tie between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told radio station KFAN that an official had acknowledged the defensive dilemma. According to Zimmer, “they just want us to throw the flag,” the referee had told him, referring to the NFL. While, ultimately, defenses may adjust, the confusion is leading to new opportunities. Accurate quarterbacks are finding new ways to rack up yards and play longer. | 