Can coaches get a 3rd challenge? The NFL red flag rules explained

The Replay System will cover the following play situations:

1. Plays involving possession
2. Plays involving touching of either the ball or the ground
3. Plays governed by the goal line
4. Plays governed by the boundary lines
5. Plays governed by the line of scrimmage
6. Plays governed by the line to gain
7. Number of players on the field at the snap
8. Game administration
9. Penalty enforcement.
10. Proper down.
11. Spot of a foul.
12. Status of the game clock.
13. Disqualification of a player

1. The Head Coach can initiate a challenge by throwing a red flag onto the field of play before the next legal snap or kick.
2. A team that commits a foul that prevents the next snap can no longer challenge the previous play. The non-fouling team can still challenge the previous play, and both teams can benefit from the review.
3. The Head Coach may challenge on-field rulings except for those plays that only the Replay Official can review
4. Each challenge requires an available team timeout. A team that is out of timeouts, or has used all its available challenges, may not attempt to initiate a challenge.
5. A team that initiates a challenge when the team is not permitted to challenge will be charged a team timeout.
6. Penalty: For initiating a challenge when a team has exhausted its timeouts: Loss of 15 yards enforced as a foul between downs.
7. If a challenge is unsuccessful, the team will be charged a timeout.
8. A team will be permitted a third challenge if it is successful on at least one of its A fourth challenge will not be permitted.

• Once a challenge is initiated, the referee and the designated replay official review the play using available camera angles and technology.
• The referee communicates with the league’s officiating command center in New York during the review process.

• If the review overturns the original call on the field, the challenging team retains its challenge and is not charged with a timeout.
• If the review confirms the initial ruling, the challenging team loses a timeout, and the coach loses the right to challenge for the remainder of the game.
• In the final two minutes of each half and during overtime, all reviews are initiated by the replay official in the booth, not by a coach’s challenge.

• The booth automatically reviews Certain plays, including scoring plays and turnovers. Coaches do not need to use a challenge for these reviews.

1. 
   
2. Whether an erroneous whistle sounded;
3. Whether a ball was illegally batted or kicked;
4. Whether a passer intentionally grounded a pass;
5. Whether an ineligible receiver was downfield before a pass;
6. Whether a receiver was illegally contacted;
7. Whether a block was illegal; and
8. Any aspect of a play not listed as reviewable in Section 3 of this Rule.
9.