The act of scoring a safety in professional American football occurs when an offensive player is tackled with the ball in their own end zone. This results in the defensive team being awarded two points and possession of the ball via a free kick from the scoring team’s own 20-yard line. For instance, if a quarterback is sacked in his own end zone, a safety is awarded to the opposing team.
Tracking the number of these occurrences provides valuable insights into team performance, offensive line vulnerabilities, and defensive effectiveness. Historically, the frequency of these scores can fluctuate based on rule changes, coaching strategies, and the overall talent distribution across the league. A high number might indicate struggling offenses or particularly aggressive defenses.