When Did The NFL Change Overtime Rules?

When did the NFL change overtime rules? The answer may surprise you. Check out this blog post to find out when the change occurred and why.

Introduction

In the NFL, overtime is a way to extend the game and determine a winner if the score is tied at the end of regulation. The rules for overtime have changed several times over the years, with the most recent change happening in 2012. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of NFL overtime rules and how they’ve evolved.

History of the NFL

The National Football League (NFL) overtime rules are the method by which games that end in a tied score after regulation time are extended so that one team can eventually win. The rules were first used in the regular season of 1974, and have been modified several times since then. They were most recently changed for the 2017 season.

Prior to 1974, NFL games that ended in a tie score were simply recorded as a tie, with each team awarded one point in the standings. This system often resulted in teams playing very conservatively in overtime, knowing that a tie was almost as good as a win. In an effort to add excitement and encourage more offense, the NFL instituted a new set of overtime rules for the 1974 season. These rules required each team to attempt a possession from their own 30-yard line, with the first team to score winning the game. If neither team scored, the game would end in a tie.

These rules remained largely unchanged for almost three decades, until they were modified for the 2012 season. The most significant change was that teams no longer had to wait until they reached their opponents’ territory to attempt a scoring play; any play that resulted in a touchdown (including plays from outside of field goal range) would now end the game immediately. This new rule was designed to encourage more offensive play and prevent overtimes from becoming too long or too dull.

The 2017 season saw another major change to NFL overtime rules: now, during the regular season only, both teams must have an opportunity to possess the ball at least once in overtime if neither team scores on their first drive. This is achieved by each team having one chance to score before sudden death kicks in; if both teams score on their first drive or neither team scores, then both teams get another chance to possess (and potentially score) during sudden death. This modification was made with player safety in mind; since players are not given any additional rest during overtime periods, it was deemed unfair to give one team an extra opportunity to score while keeping their opponents off the field for an extended period of time.

The current NFL overtime rules have been met with positive reviews from both fans and players alike; they add excitement and intrigue to what could otherwise be dull games, and help prevent players from being overworked during what is already a grueling season

The Current Overtime Rules

In 2017, the NFL updated its overtime rules. The changes were made in an effort to try and reduce the number of games that were decided by a single possession, and to add more excitement to the overtime periods.

Under the new rules, both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball at least once in overtime, regardless of whether the first team to possess the ball scores a touchdown or not. If the team that possesses the ball first scores a touchdown, then the game is over. However, if they score a field goal instead, then the other team gets a chance to possesses the ball. If they score a touchdown on their drive, then they win the game. If they don’t score or if they turn the ball over, then whoever has the most points at the end of overtime wins.

The NFL overtime rules are different from those used in college football. In college football, each team gets one chance to score, and whoever has more points at the end of regulation time wins – there is no need for both teams to score in order for someone to win.

Why Did The NFL Change The Overtime Rules?

In order to prevent games from ending in a tie, the NFL overtime rules state that each team must have the opportunity to score, and that if one team scores a touchdown, the other team must have a chance to either score a touchdown or tie the game with a field goal. If the game is still tied after both teams have had possession, then it goes into sudden death mode, where the first team to score wins.

The problem with this system is that it often resulted in long games that dragged on for hours, with little action taking place. In order to address this issue, the NFL changed its overtime rules for the 2017 season. Under the new rules, if both teams are still tied after each team has had one possession, then sudden death mode will begin. However, if one team scores a field goal on its first drive of overtime, then the other team will be given one chance to score a touchdown and win the game. If they are unable to do so, then the game ends in a victory for the first team.

The new overtime rules were designed to add excitement to the end of games and to prevent them from draggin on for hours on end. So far, they seem to be working well and are providing fans with a much more enjoyable experience.

How Do The New Overtime Rules Work?

In the NFL regular season, if a game is tied at the end of regulation, each team is given an opportunity to possess the ball at least once in overtime (at any point during which the score is still tied) to attempt a game-winning score. The team that scores first during overtime wins the game. If neither team scores, or if both teams score field goals on their first possessions, the game ends in a tie.

In 2017, the NFL changed its overtime rules for regular season games. In the past, if the team that won the coin toss scored a field goal on its opening possession of overtime, the game ended; if it scored a touchdown, it won by seven points. Now, both teams are guaranteed a minimum of one possession regardless of what happens on the opening drive. If neither team scores on its first possession (or if both teams score field goals), then overtime continues as before. However, if one team scores a touchdown on its opening drive and the other team kicks a field goal on its second drive, then that team wins by seven points. The new rules are intended to add excitement and minimize the possibility of unfair results.

What Has Been The Reaction To The New Overtime Rules?

The National Football League’s (NFL) overtime rules have been a source of contention for many years. In 2012, the NFL made a change to the rules, which was widely seen as an attempt to address the concerns of both players and fans.

The new overtime rules state that if a team scores a touchdown on the opening drive of overtime, the game is automatically over. However, if the team that wins the coin toss decides to play it safe and kick a field goal, the other team gets a chance to score. If they score a touchdown, they win the game. If they don’t score, or if they kick a field goal, the game ends in a tie.

The reaction to the new overtime rules has been mixed. Some players and coaches have praised the change, saying that it adds an extra level of excitement to the game. Others have criticized it, saying that it gives an unfair advantage to the team that wins the coin toss.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the NFL changed its overtime rules in 2017 in order to add more excitement and ensure that both teams had a fair opportunity to win the game. The new rules have been well-received by fans and players alike, and they have helped to make overtime games more exciting than ever before.