OVERTIME RULES FOR NFL PRESEASON AND REGULAR SEASON

 

 

• At the end of regulation, the referee will toss a coin to determine which team will possess the ball first in overtime. The visiting team captain will call the toss.
  
• No more than one 15-minute period will follow a three-minute intermission. Each team must possess, or have the opportunity to possess, the ball. The exception: if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown on the opening possession.
  
• Sudden death play — where the game ends on any score (safety, field goal or touchdown) — continues until a winner is determined.
  
• Each team gets two timeouts.
  
• The point after try is not attempted if the game ends on a touchdown.
  
• If the score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, the result of the game will be recorded as a tie.
  
• There are no instant replay coach’s challenges; all reviews will be initiated by the replay official.
  

OVERTIME RULES FOR NFL POSTSEASON GAMES

 

Unlike preseason and regular season games, postseason games cannot end in a tie, so the overtime rules change slightly for the playoffs.

 

• If the score is still tied at the end of an overtime period — or if the second team’s initial possession has not ended — the teams will play another overtime period. Play will continue regardless of how many overtime periods are needed for a winner to be determined.
  
• There will be a two-minute intermission between each overtime period. There will not be a halftime intermission after the second period.
  
• Another coin toss will be held before the third overtime period. The captain who lost the first overtime coin toss will either choose to possess the ball or select which goal his team will defend, unless the team that won the coin toss deferred that choice.
  
• Each team gets three timeouts during a half.
  
• The same timing rules that apply at the end of the second and fourth regulation periods also apply at the end of a second or fourth overtime period.
  
• If there is still no winner at the end of a fourth overtime period, there will be another coin toss, and play will continue until a winner is declared.
  

This discussion seems inevitable in light of the Patriots Super Bowl LI victory. What are your thoughts.

 

If you want to see any changes made, what would your suggested changes be?

This discussion seems inevitable in light of the Patriots Super Bowl LI victory. What are your thoughts.

 

If you want to see any changes made, what would your suggested changes be?

 

All the momentum was with New England going into that overtime so it's tough to question the result but, yeah, I hate the NFL's overtime rules and always have.

I think both teams should get the ball...ESPECIALLY in a playoff game...

There is no reason a coin flip should be a huge factor in determining the winner of any of these games.

There is no reason a coin flip should be a huge factor in determining the winner of any of these games.

 

Exactly

I say we just put both QB's at midfield and which ever one can hit the goal post first wins... about as fair as the way it's determined now.

Both teams should have the ball at least once.

I agree with most, both teams should have at least one opportunity in OT, and definitely in the playoffs.

I like the rules just the way they are...

I'm not a fan of the college or NFL rules. I think the college rules are too silly, with multiple overtimes, forced two-pointers, etc. and the NFL rules are too predicated on the coin flip.

 

My plan would require a 5th quarter should be played, with both teams assured of at least one possession. After both teams have a possession, then it becomes sudden death. (Obviously a pick six would automatically win the game). This won't be popular, but in the NFL and college game, if still tied after one overtime period, then the game is called a tie. In the postseason for both levels, a second, third, fourth overtime, etc. would be played until a victor is determined.

Both teams should have the ball at least once.

this

The Overtime should be simple. Give them 15 minutes. Play it like you would a baseball game, you have a full inning, not just who scores first. I never understood the reasoning behind "If the first team scores a TD then the game is over, but if they only kick a FG then the other team gets a chance" That makes zero sense. Just put 15 mins on the clock and play and whoever is winning at the end of the 15 minutes is the winner. If it's still tie put another 15 minutes on the clock.

Why should both teams get a chance? They've had 60 minutes of chances. Even in OT the team on defense has a chance. Stop the other team and you get the ball.

I recommend the college rules, but start it at the 50.