Overtime Overhaul: Everybody Gets 1

03/30/2022

By: Matthew Cahill

NFL Changes Overtime Possession Rules for ‘Playoffs Only’ After Chiefs-Bills Controversy

Everybody gets one! The NFL owners voted on Tuesday to implement a new caveat in the league’s overtime rules to allow both teams to possess the ball regardless of the coin toss, but the change will only occur in the playoffs. In last year’s AFC divisional round, the Chiefs beat the Bills by winning the coin toss and scoring a touchdown on the opening possession (8 plays, 75 yards), leaving Buffalo without a chance. The “first touchdown wins” rule came under fire once again as Bills fans saw their season wiped away by the flip of a coin.

 

Overhauling Overtime

The sudden-death system that’s stood since 2010 has seen seven of 12 overtime playoff games decided by an opening-drive touchdown. Ten of those 12 games were won by the team who won the coin toss. Now, both teams will be guaranteed at least one offensive possession, but only in the postseason. The regular season will operate under the usual system.

 

Editor’s Note: I think it’s foolish to have rules that apply only to the postseason and not stick to a uniform format year-round. But then again, no team wants their Super Bowl run to be cut short by a coin-flip.

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Says He Prefers Traditional OT Structure

CBS Sports: Three Teams Voted Against the NFL’s New Overtime Rule, Including One That Played in Super Bowl LVI

 

Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images