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NFL Changes Overtime Rules...But There's a Catch

For the first time in 12 years, the NFL changes their overtime rules

By Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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The Chiefs had the only OT possession in their 2021 playoff win over the Bills

As I've said before, the NFL's overtime rules have been repeatedly scrutinized for nearly 50 years. For the first several decades, the NFL didn't have overtime, but that changed in 1974, when the sudden death OT was added. In this format, any score could end it, and it often resulted in a vast amount of games ending with a field goal in the opening possession. Despite decades of complaints, the NFL didn't change OT until 2010, and in this version, an opening possession field goal will give the other team a chance to either tie it or win it, while an opening possession touchdown wins the game. If both teams trade field goals, or if the opening possession results in no points, the sudden death rules apply.

The rule was only used for playoff games until 2012, when regular season games adopted the format. However, even this became problematic, as many regular season and playoff games ended with opening possession touchdowns. The last straw came in the 2021 Divisional Playoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, an absolute scorefest that ended with the Chiefs winning the toss in OT and going all the way, with the Bills losing without having the ball. The outcry for the rule to be change was the loudest ever, and the NFL had no choice but to listen and comply.

On March 29, 2022, the NFL announced the change: both teams are guaranteed to get the ball in OT, even if the opening possession results in a touchdown. No more OT games will end after just one possession, though of both teams trade TDs and extra points, the sudden death rules will apply. However, there's a catch: the new rule will only be used in playoff games. Regular season games will continue to use the format that debuted in 2010. The new OT passed by a 29-3 vote. The three teams who voted "no": the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, the Miami Dolphins, and the Minnesota Vikings. The Bengals voting "no" is interesting; they won the AFC Championship in OT by intercepting Patrick Mahomes and getting to field goal range. The Vikings voting "no" isn't surprising; they actually were one of the four teams who voted against the last change in 2010.

A lot of Green Bay Packers fans have complained that this change should have happened years ago, as the Packers have lost two playoff games in OT due to Aaron Rodgers not getting the ball. Even as a Packers fan myself, I have maintained my stance that the rule shouldn't be blamed, the defense should, because the 2010 change made it easier for defenses. In spite of this, I do welcome this change because it'll be more interesting now that both teams are guaranteed to touch the ball in overtime.

A lot of fans aren't happy that the new OT isn't in regular season games, but it will be. It only took two years for the NFL to place the current OT into regular season games. I've also read complaints that the sudden death format will remain in some part of OT: I assume those fans want the period to be played in full--I still remember Mike Golic making that same suggestion in 2010. We won't have to wait for the new OT to take place, it will start with the 2022 playoffs. Though, again, I do see regular season games taking this format very soon.

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About the Creator

Clyde E. Dawkins

I am an avid fan of sports and wrestling, and I've been a fan of female villains since the age of eight. Also into film and TV, especially Simpsons and Family Guy.

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