In last year’s playoffs, the Bills and Chiefs played one of the greatest games in NFL history, but it was a game that left many fans feeling unfulfilled: It ended with the Chiefs receiving the overtime kickoff and scoring the game-winning touchdown on the opening possession. Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who had played a brilliant game, never touched the ball in overtime.
This year, that won’t happen: The NFL changed its playoff overtime rules in the offseason, and now postseason games won’t end with a touchdown on the opening possession of overtime.
Now if a team scores a touchdown on the first possession of overtime, it will line up to kick an extra point or attempt a two-point conversion. Then that team will kick off, and the other team will get a chance to score a touchdown. If that team does score a touchdown, it will line up for an extra point or two-point conversion of its own. It’s possible that the game can end at that point: For instance, if the first team kicked an extra point, the second team can try a game-ending two-point conversion attempt. But if the score remains tied after both teams’ touchdowns, at that point the team that scored the second touchdown would kick off again, and from there on it would be sudden-death overtime.
The new rules could lead to some new strategies: Some coaches may actually prefer to kick off to begin overtime, on the thinking that they’d rather know what the other team has done when they get the ball, and know if they need to play for a touchdown or can settle for a field goal. Some coaches may be more aggressive about going for two after a touchdown.
There is still one scenario in which both teams don’t get a possession in overtime: If the team kicking off
to start overtime scores a safety on the receiving team’s initial possession, the team that kicked off is the winner without ever possessing the ball. For instance, if the kickoff returner gets tackled deep in his own territory, and then on the next play the quarterback is sacked in his own end zone, that safety ends the game.
Unlike regular-season overtime, which is 10 minutes long, playoff overtime is essentially starting a new game: Teams will play 15-minute periods until there is a winner. If there’s been no winner after two 15-minute periods, there will be another kickoff to start the third overtime period, although there won’t be a halftime break between periods. Needing to go to a third overtime period has never happened in NFL history.
FAQs
The new playoff overtime rules include 15-minute periods instead of the 10-minute overtime period in the regular season. If the team that got the ball first doesn't score a touchdown, or if the score is tied after each team has possessed the ball, the next score would win.
What is the new postseason overtime rule in the NFL? ›
Overtime rules in the postseason consist of as many 15-minute periods as are necessary until there is a winner, instead of the single 10-minute overtime period in the regular season. Both teams will now get at least one possession, even if the team that has the first possession scores a touchdown.
Is the first possession in the NFL overtime? ›
If the team that first possesses the ball in overtime scores a touchdown (not a field goal) on that drive, that team wins. The game is over, with the other offense never getting a chance to take the field in overtime.
What happens if overtime ends in a playoff game? ›
What happens if the Super Bowl ends in a tie score at the end of the overtime period? In a playoff game, they would keep playing in a second OT until someone scored. Playoff games cannot end in a tie.
What is the overtime rule for the NFL Championship? ›
Overtime starts with a coin toss, and the team winning the toss can choose to kick, receive, defer or select which goal to defend. In the playoffs, both teams are guaranteed a possession — even if the team that receives the overtime kickoff scores a touchdown.
Why did NFL change playoff overtime rules? ›
The NFL, over the past several seasons, has refined its playoff overtime rules, with the most recent tweak coming in 2022. The rule was adopted in March 2022, and came in response to an instant classic in the divisional round between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
Is playoff overtime sudden death? ›
The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs are back and with that comes a major change in the overtime format. No more three-on-three play, no more shootouts after five minutes of scoreless play, both staples of regular-season overtime. There is sudden death, but it could last a very long time.
Is it first touchdown wins in overtime? ›
If the team that receives the ball first scores a touchdown on its first possession, the game will continue and the second team will have the chance to possess the ball. If the game remains tied after the second team's possession ends, then sudden-death rules will apply: first score wins.
Has a Super Bowl ever gone to overtime? ›
Super Bowl LI featured the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, with the Patriots overcoming a 28–3 deficit in the third quarter to emerge victorious. Due to the comeback, the game is nicknamed "28–3". The game was also the first Super Bowl to be decided in overtime. U.S. viewership: 111.3 million est.
Does each team get a possession in NFL overtime? ›
Basically, the new rules guarantee each team a possession in overtime, as opposed to the old way where if a team won the coin toss and scored a touchdown on their first possession the game would end.
Starting July 1, employers of all sizes will be required pay overtime — time and a half salary after 40 hours a week — to salaried workers who make less than $43,888 a year in certain executive, administrative and professional roles. That cap will then rise to $58,656 by the start of 2025.
Why did the 49ers choose to go first in overtime? ›
The two captains had very different instructions from their respective head coaches—the Niners wanted their offense to have the ball first; the Chiefs wanted to kick and play defense to begin overtime. Both coaches got their wish; Warner's call of “tails” was correct—Brock Purdy and the 49ers got the ball first.
How many overtimes are allowed in the Super Bowl? ›
The same timing rules that apply at the end of the second and fourth regulation periods also apply at the end of a second or fourth overtime period. If there is still no winner at the end of a fourth overtime period, there will be another coin toss, and play will continue until a winner is declared.
What are the NFL overtime rules in 2024? ›
Whichever side has the most points after both have possessed the ball at least one time is the winner. So let's say the Chiefs score a field goal on their first possession of overtime, but the 49ers score a touchdown on theirs. The 49ers would be the winners of the game.
Who's winning the Super Bowl in 2024? ›
Kansas City Chiefs' tight end #87 Travis Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback #15 Patrick Mahomes hug after winning Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 11, 2024. The Kansas City Chiefs win the 2024 Super Bowl, 25-22!
Who has the most Super Bowl wins? ›
Among the NFL's current 32 teams, 20 (11 NFC, nine AFC) have won a Super Bowl and 15 (eight AFC, seven NFC) hold multiple titles. The AFC's Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots have the most Super Bowl titles at six each. The Patriots also have the most Super Bowl appearances at 11.
Can a Super Bowl end in a tie? ›
Playoff competition - with the Super Bowl included - is a different proposition to the regular season games and features some rule changes. One of the key alterations made for the post-season period is the overtime rules, with games unable to end in a tie.
