What Are the Overtime Rules in the NFL?

NFL overtime rules are different than in the regular season. Here’s a look at how they work.

Introduction

The NFL overtime rules are simple: each team gets one possession to score. If the score is still tied after both teams have a chance to score, then the game ends in a tie. However, there are some subtle complexities that can come into play depending on what happens during regulation time.

Here’s a quick overview of the NFL overtime rules:
-Each team gets one possession to score.
-If the score is still tied after both teams have a chance to score, then the game ends in a tie.
-If the team that has the ball first scores a touchdown, then the game is over and that team wins.
-If the team that has the ball first scores a field goal, then the other team gets to possess the ball. If they score a field goal on their possession, then the game goes into sudden death (meaning the first team to score wins). If they don’t score or if they turn the ball over, then the first team wins.

History of Overtime in the NFL

In the past, NFL games that ended in a tie were recorded as such in the standings. In other words, both teams were awarded a half-win and a half-loss. This was seen as unfair to both teams and their fans, so in 1974, the league implemented a new rule to prevent tied games. The rule stated that each team would get an opportunity to possess the ball at least once in overtime, starting from their own 25-yard line. If both teams were still tied after each team had had possession, the game would end in a tie.

This system, often referred to as “sudden death,” remained in place for almost 30 years. In 2002, the league made a slight change to the rule: if the team that wins the coin toss scores a touchdown on their first possession of overtime, they win the game. If they score a field goal, the opposing team gets a chance to possess the ball. If they score a touchdown on their possession, they win; if they don’t score at all, or if they score a field goal, the game ends in a tie.

The current overtime rules have been in place since 2012. Under these rules, if the team that wins the coin toss scores a field goal on their first possession of overtime, their opponent gets a chance to possess the ball. If the opposing team scores a touchdown on their ensuing possession, they win; if they don’t score at all or score a field goal, the game ends in a tie. These rules apply regardless of how long it takes for either team to score; if neither team scores on its first possession of overtime (for example, if both teams kick field goals), then each team must attempt another offensive series until one team scores and wins the game.

How Overtime Works in the NFL

In the NFL, overtime is a way to extend the game to ensure that it ends in a tie. NFL overtime rules are simple: each team gets one possession, and if one team scores, the other team gets a chance to score. If both teams score, the game continues until one team doesn’t score. The first team to score in overtime wins the game.

Here’s how it works: each team gets the ball at the other team’s 25-yard line. (In college football, each team gets the ball at its own 35-yard line.) If one team scores a touchdown, it wins; if it kicks a field goal, it can either win or tie. If it doesn’t score at all, the other team gets a chance to score. If both teams score touchdowns, or if both teams kick field goals, the game continues until somebody doesn’t score.

The only time this changes is if the game is played in a dome; in that case, there are no kickoff returns, and each team gets two possessions. If neither team scores on their first possession, or if both teams kick field goals on their first possessions, then each team gets another chance to score.

What Are the New Overtime Rules in the NFL?

In 2017, the NFL changed its overtime rules for the regular season. In the postseason, however, the old rules are still in place.

Here’s a quick rundown of the new regular season overtime rules:
-Each team gets one possession.
-Possession starts at the 25-yard line.
-First team to score wins.
-If the score is still tied after both teams have had a possession, it’s sudden death and whoever scores first wins.

The biggest change is that both teams are guaranteed a possession, even if the first team scores a touchdown on their opening drive. In the old rules, if the first team scored a touchdown on their opening drive, the game would be over.

The other big change is that possessions now start at the 25-yard line instead of at midfield. This should lead to more scoring, as it’s now easier for teams to get into field goal range.

The new rules are in place to try and make the game fairer and to reduce the number of ties. In 2016, there were six ties in the NFL – with three of those coming in overtime.

How Do the New Overtime Rules Affect the Fans?

Under the new overtime rules, each team will be guaranteed one possession, regardless of what happens on the opening possession of overtime. If the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown, the game is over. If it kicks a field goal, the other team will get a chance to score. If that team also kicks a field goal, the game will continue in sudden death. The first team to score wins.

There are some fans who believe that this change will make the game fairer and more exciting. They think that it will add more excitement because each team will have a chance to win, no matter what happens on the first drive. Others think that it makes the game less fair because one team could get an early lead and then just run out the clock.

Conclusion

In the NFL, if the score is tied at the end of regulation, the game goes into overtime. During overtime, each team has an opportunity to score, starting with the team that did not start on offense in regulation. The team that scores first wins the game. If neither team scores, the game ends in a tie.