Vikings/Saints
 

I am sure we were all amazed by the finish of last Sunday's game. What I have been wondering is what if the Saints had simply refused to put their equipment back on and come out for the try. I can think of some other things that the players could have done to punish the NFL for this silly rule. One thing that comes to mind would be sending out exactly one player to run (or defend) the play. Does anyone know what the minimum number of players is in order to run a play and make it stick (that is if both teams refuse any penalties the play will stand). I have seen plays where the defense only has 10 players and that doesn't seem to get penalized, makes me wonder about 1 player.

I doubt if this site is populated by many NFL, MLB, or NBA officials so I would be getting results from college or high school officials some of whom I suspect keep up on the major league rules.

If they are concerned about the gambling aspect there was something that could have happened that would have been even worse. They could have snapped the ball and set it down on the ground or tossed it to a defender. The defense could have walked the ball down the field toward their locker room and scored two points which would have brought all of the 4.5 point gamblers into the mess.

I agree it is a rule that needs changing in the NFL, at least in the playoffs. I'm not sure if points for/against is utilized for any tie breaking procedures in the regular season. If it is, there would be some utility for keeping it then.

In NFHS, 3-6-3 tells us that if a team fails to play within two minutes after being directed to play by the referee, the penalty is forfeiture.

Forfeiture
 

I guess the threat of forfeiture would have gotten the Vikings back to the field but what would that have meant to the Saints?

Is the defense required to put ANY players on the field before the offence can snap the ball?

No Defense required
 

The answer is NO! In the NFL, the defense is NOT required to be on the field.

And here is exactly why I say that:

1998 - Bills @ Pats
Drew Bledsoe throws a TD to Ben Coates with no time left to take the lead over Buffalo 23-21. Both teams left the field. The officials then called them back but only the Pats PAT team returns.
The Pats lined up in a FG formation without any Bills on the field. Ball is snapped it to Vinatieri who ran it in for a 2 points. Probably the finest moment in Pete Carroll's Patriot career.
Final: Pats 25, Bills 21

Check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Vinatieri

Look at the 1998 Season and it indicates he scored a two point try.
It is indeed a rarity for an NFL kicker to score a 2-point try, but it has happened.

Here is the story: https://www.buffalorumblings.com/201...xboro-patriots

Hope this helps.

An interesting bit of trivia. Thanks.

Also interesting that NFL teams aren't allowed to forfeit a try.