What Was the Old NFL Overtime Rule?

Before the 2017 NFL season, the overtime rule was that the team who won the coin toss could choose to either play offense or defense. If they chose offense, and scored a touchdown on their first drive, the game was over. However, if they chose defense, and the other team scored a touchdown, the game would continue. This led to a lot of criticism, as some people felt that the team who won the coin toss had an unfair advantage. In 2017, the NFL changed the overtime rule

What Was the Old NFL Overtime Rule?

In 2012, the NFL changed its overtime rules for regular season games. Prior to the 2012 rule change, the overtime period was decided by a coin toss. The team that won the coin toss could choose to either kick off or receive the ball. If the team that won the coin toss scored a touchdown on its first possession, the game ended. If the team scored a field goal, the other team got a chance to possess the ball. If neither team scored, or if both teams scored field goals, possession swapped and play continued until one team scored more points than the other. This system led to criticism because it meant that the game could effectively be decided by a coin flip, and that one team could get significantly more playing time than another.

In 2012, the NFL changed its overtime rules so that both teams would get an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of who won the coin toss. In addition, if either team scores a field goal on its first possession, play continues until one team scores more points than another. This new system has been generally well-received by fans and players alike, as it ensures that both teams have a fair chance to win and that neither team gets an unfair advantage in terms of playing time.

How Did the Old Rule Work?

In the old NFL overtime rule, each team was allowed to possess the ball once in overtime, regardless of whether or not they scored a touchdown on their first possession. If both teams scored touchdowns on their first possessions, or if both teams failed to score, the game would end in a tie.

Many people felt that this rule was unfair, as it put a greater emphasis on defense than offense. In addition, it often led to boring games, as both teams would play conservatively in order to avoid giving up a big play that could cost them the game.

As a result of these criticisms, the NFL changed its overtime rules in 2012. Under the new rules, each team is guaranteed at least one possession in overtime, even if the other team scores a touchdown on their first drive. If both teams score touchdowns on their first drives, or if neither team scores, the game will continue until one team scores and the other team does not.

These changes have made overtime much more exciting for fans and players alike. However, they have also led to some controversial finishes, as teams have been known to score late touchdowns in order to win the game.

Why Was the Rule Changed?

The simple answer is that the rule was changed because it wasn’t working the way it was supposed to. The overtime system in place from 1974 to 2011 was designed to give both teams a chance to possess the ball at least once in overtime, but that didn’t always happen. In fact, there were a number of games in which the team that won the coin toss never gave the other team a chance to touch the ball.

That didn’t seem fair, and it led to a lot of criticism of the NFL. Some fans and pundits even called for the elimination of overtime altogether, but the league didn’t want to do that. Instead, they decided to change the rule so that each team would get at least one possession, regardless of what happened on the first series of overtime.

Of course, there are some who still don’t like the new rule. They argue that it puts too much emphasis on winning the coin toss, and that it takes away from the excitement of sudden death overtime. But so far, the majority of fans seem to be okay with it.

How Does the New Rule Work?

In the past, the NFL overtime rules were simple: the team that won the coin toss could choose to either receive or defer, and then whichever team had the ball first got the chance to score. If they scored a touchdown, they won. If they didn’t, the other team got a turn. This system led to a lot of criticism because it put an unfair advantage on the team that won the coin toss.

In 2017, the NFL changed its overtime rules in an attempt to make things more fair. Now, both teams get a chance to possess the ball at least once in overtime, regardless of who wins the coin toss. If one team scores a touchdown on their first possession, the other team gets a chance to score as well. If both teams score touchdowns on their first possessions, or if neither team does, then it becomes “sudden death” and whoever scores next wins. This new system is intended to make sure that both teams have a fair chance to win in overtime.