What are the NFL overtime rules? All you need to know for 2024 playoffs
NFL overtime has changed with owners approving a plan that will modify the rules. The most significant change relates to how both teams will have at least one possession in playoff games.
The development came in the wake of lobbying from a number of franchises and fans who were left feeling cheated at the end of a number of playoff matchups in recent years.
The Buffalo Bills have a long history of pain in the NFL, going right back to their four successive Super Bowl defeats between 1991 and 1994. Nonetheless, the 2021 season brought newfound pain for the franchise.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen managed to keep pace with the Kansas City Chiefs’ electric offense throughout the divisional round matchup at Arrowhead Stadium. However, following regulation, the Chiefs won the coin toss and scored a touchdown with their first and only possession.
According to the 2021 rules, that was the end of the game and the Bills had no chance to answer and keep the memorable shootout going.
How will the new NFL overtime rules change the sport?
These rule changes will only be in place for the postseason. Regular season rules still have games ending when a touchdown is scored on the opening drive after regulation.
Had the Bills’ defeat to the Chiefs been played in the 2022 season, Allen would have been permitted to re-enter the field and try and match the exploits of Patrick Mahomes.
The newly-adopted changes were voted in by a margin of 29-3 with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles putting the motion on the table.
One NFL head coach offered a prediction about the new modified overtime rule for postseason only: Many teams that get the ball first and score a touchdown will go for 2, rather than allowing the second team to do it and end the game.
What are the new overtime rules in 2024?
For preseason games, there will still be no overtime. If the score is tied after four quarters, the game will be declared a draw.
Here’s what the NFL’s new OT rule is trying to guard against: Over the past decade, teams that won the overtime coin flip in the postseason were 10-2, including seven of those 10 wins coming on the opening possession.
Rules also remain the same for regular season games. Following regulation, a coin toss called by the visiting captain will determine who gets the ball first. Each team will have an opportunity to possess the ball except when the team possessing the ball first scores a touchdown.
Following the first possession, sudden death rules apply, where the first team to score any points and take the lead wins.
Both teams receive two timeouts and coaches cannot challenge the officials' calls. If the game is still tied after the overtime period, the game will be declared a draw.
For the playoffs, the aforementioned possession rule is the major change, with both teams receiving at least one possession. Moreover, the game will continue until a winner is determined. If the game is still tied after four periods, another coin toss will be held. Teams get three timeouts per two periods of overtime. Other than that, rules remain largely unchanged.
It will be interesting to see how much more fun the new rules make the game.