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what happens if you intercept a 2 point conversion

If you intercept a 2‑point conversion in modern NFL and college rules, the defense can return it and score 2 points the other way; it’s often called a “pick‑two.”

Quick Scoop: What actually happens

  • The offense scores a touchdown (6 points) and lines up for a 2‑point conversion.
  • The QB throws, and a defender intercepts the pass.
  • The defender can run the ball back just like on a normal play.
  • If the defender reaches the opposite end zone, the defense is awarded 2 points, not 6.
  • After that, play resumes with a kickoff, just as it would after any scoring play.

So the swing can be huge: the offense goes from possibly getting 2 points to giving up 2 points instead.

NFL vs. college (and older rules)

  • Current NFL (since 2015):
    • Defense can return interceptions, fumbles, or blocked kicks on conversion tries for 2 points.
  • College football:
    • Similar “defensive conversion” rule: a defensive return on a 2‑point try is also worth 2 points.
  • Older NFL rules (pre‑2015):
    • A failed 2‑point try (including an interception) was a dead ball; no return, no defensive points.

That’s why you’ll sometimes hear commentators say “pick‑two” or “defensive two‑point conversion” on broadcasts.

Does it count as an interception in the stats?

Interestingly, an interception on a 2‑point try does not count in the normal stat line for interceptions for the QB or defender.

  • It’s logged only as a failed or successful conversion (or defensive conversion), not a regular passing or defensive stat.

Forum-style angle and “latest” chatter

On football forums, fans often debate how wild the momentum swing is:

“You go for 2 to be ‘aggressive’ and suddenly it’s a 4‑point swing the wrong way.”

People also still argue whether these should count as full interceptions in the box score, but the official guides treat conversion tries as a separate statistical category.

TL;DR: If you intercept a 2‑point conversion in today’s NFL or college game and return it all the way, your team gets 2 points, not 6, and the play is recorded as a defensive conversion rather than a standard interception.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.