The Baltimore Ravens were assessed three illegal formation penalties on their opening drive against the Kansas City Chiefs, thanks to the emphasis on the formation of the offensive linemen. Ironically, it was because of the Chiefs.

Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley was fined four times for the same infraction in the first half. According to the NFL rulebook, there must be seven players on the line of scrimmage before the snap — almost always a combination of five offensive linemen, plus two receivers, running backs or tight ends.

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For offensive tackles, this typically means they have to have their helmet on the center’s waist before the snap in order to be eligible for the line. This effectively allows them to stay a step or two behind the line in anticipation of a pass rush. Stanley, like many offensive tackles, took an extra step back to give himself an advantage over opposing pass rushers.

You may remember that this was a storyline from last the season opener of the year, when it was Chiefs starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor who was criticized for illegal fielding, but the referees did not consistently call him.

“To be on the line of scrimmage, his helmet has to break the center line of the center. And to be honest with you, we’ve been watching him all game, he’s nowhere near it,” NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay said during last year’s season opener. “And it really puts the defender at a huge disadvantage when he can be that far back.”

The NFL has made it a point this year that officials must mark offensive tackles who attempt to create extra space at the line of scrimmage.

And the Chiefs were the first to take advantage of this.