NFL Overtime Rules: Explained

Nick Leason

-Sep 29, 2025

In the National Football League (NFL), overtime rules determine how a game continues when the score is tied after regulation. These rules, constantly evolving, aim to provide a fair and exciting conclusion. Overtime rules vary depending on the season and the situation (regular season vs. playoffs), impacting how teams strategize and how fans experience the game. This guide explains everything you need to know about overtime in the NFL, covering the history, current regulations, and key strategies.

Key Takeaways

In the regular season, each team gets at least one possession, and the first team to score wins the game. If the score is still tied after each team has had a possession, the next score wins.
Playoff overtime rules ensure both teams get a possession, even if the first team scores a touchdown. The game continues until one team leads after a possession.
The coin toss determines which team gets possession first.
The overtime period lasts for 10 minutes in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Introduction

Overtime rules in the NFL are designed to provide a decisive outcome to tied games. Over the years, these rules have changed to try and balance fairness and excitement. The goal is to give each team a reasonable chance to win while ensuring the game doesn't drag on excessively. The current rules, especially in the playoffs, reflect a desire to prevent sudden-death scenarios where a single play can determine the outcome without both teams getting a fair opportunity.

What & Why

Why Overtime?

Overtime is essential to ensure that NFL games conclude with a winner. Without overtime, tied games would be far more common, which isn't ideal for standings, playoffs, and fan engagement. Overtime provides a way to break ties and keeps the competitive spirit alive until the very end. It also adds an extra element of drama and unpredictability to the game. — Plant City, FL: Find Your Zip Code

Regular Season vs. Playoffs: The Differences

The NFL's overtime rules differ between the regular season and the playoffs to balance fairness and the stakes involved. — Schofield Barracks, HI Zip Code: Ultimate Guide

Regular Season: The rules are simpler. Each team gets at least one possession, but if the first team scores a touchdown on their opening possession, they win the game. If the first team scores a field goal, the other team gets a chance to match or score and win. If the score remains tied after each team has had a possession, the next score wins.
Playoffs: Playoff overtime rules are more elaborate, ensuring both teams have an opportunity to possess the ball. The game continues until one team leads after a possession. If the first team scores a touchdown, the other team still gets a chance to respond.

Benefits of Overtime Rules

Fairness: Overtime rules, especially those in the playoffs, attempt to ensure that both teams have a fair shot at winning.
Excitement: Overtime adds a thrilling element to the game, often creating memorable moments.
Clarity: Having defined rules provides clarity on how tied games are resolved.

Potential Risks and Drawbacks

Sudden Death: In the regular season, the potential for a sudden-death result on the first possession can be considered unfair by some fans and analysts.
Fatigue: Prolonged overtime periods can lead to increased player fatigue and the potential for injuries.
Strategic Considerations: The rules can lead to complex strategic decisions, such as whether to play conservatively or aggressively on the opening possession.

How-To / Steps / Framework Application

Understanding the practical application of overtime rules is key to enjoying and appreciating NFL games. Here’s a breakdown of how overtime unfolds:

Coin Toss

Before overtime, a coin toss determines which team will possess the ball first. The visiting team calls the toss.
The winning team can choose to receive the ball, defer, or select which end of the field they want to defend.

Regular Season Overtime

First Possession: The team that wins the coin toss receives the ball and gets the first possession. They aim to score.
Scoring:
- If the team scores a touchdown, they win the game.
- If the team scores a field goal, the other team gets a chance to possess the ball.
Second Possession: The second team gets possession and tries to score.
Winning: The first team to score, after each team has a possession, wins.

Playoff Overtime

First Possession: The team that wins the coin toss gets the first possession.
Scoring:
- If the first team scores a touchdown, the other team gets a possession.
- If the first team scores a field goal, the other team gets a possession, and the next score wins.
Second Possession: The other team gets possession, regardless of what the first team scored.
Winning: The first team to lead after both teams have had a possession wins.

Duration

Overtime periods in both regular season and playoff games are 10 minutes long.
The clock continues to run after a score, unless there is a change of possession.

Examples & Use Cases

Let’s look at some examples to illustrate the overtime rules:

Example 1: Regular Season - Field Goal

Scenario: The score is tied at the end of regulation. Team A wins the coin toss and receives the ball. They drive down the field and kick a field goal.
Result: Team B gets possession. If they score, they win. If they do not score, Team A wins.

Example 2: Regular Season - Touchdown

Scenario: The score is tied at the end of regulation. Team B wins the coin toss and receives the ball. They score a touchdown on their opening possession.
Result: Team B wins the game immediately.

Example 3: Playoff Game - Touchdown

Scenario: The score is tied at the end of regulation. Team A wins the coin toss and receives the ball. They score a touchdown.
Result: Team B gets the ball, and they have a chance to score and tie, or score and win.

Example 4: Playoff Game - Field Goal

Scenario: The score is tied at the end of regulation. Team B wins the coin toss and receives the ball. They kick a field goal.
Result: Team A gets a possession. If they score a touchdown, they win. If they score a field goal, the game continues.

Best Practices & Common Mistakes

Understanding the optimal strategies in overtime can be the difference between victory and defeat. Here’s a look at best practices and common mistakes: — NFL Week 4: Scores, Highlights & Analysis

Offensive Strategy

Be Aggressive: In both the regular season (to a degree) and the playoffs, teams should be aggressive and try to score a touchdown on their first possession. This can secure a win and avoid giving the other team an opportunity.
Ball Control: Maintaining possession and making first downs are critical. Long drives wear down the defense and increase the chance of scoring.
Red Zone Efficiency: Teams must excel in the red zone. If you get close, you need to finish with a touchdown to maximize your chances of winning.

Defensive Strategy

Prevent Big Plays: The defense should aim to prevent long gains and big plays, limiting the opponent's chances of reaching the end zone quickly.
Contain the Run: Stopping the run helps the defense to control the clock and forces the offense to rely on passing, which can be riskier.
Pressure the Quarterback: Aggressive pass-rushing can disrupt the offense and force mistakes.

Common Mistakes

Conservative Play-Calling: Being too conservative on offense can be detrimental. Field goals or short drives may not be enough to secure the win in regular seasons, and can lead to a loss in the playoffs.
Poor Clock Management: Wasting time or not managing the clock efficiently can give the opponent an advantage.
Penalties: Penalties can be devastating in overtime, giving the opposing team an easy path to victory.

FAQs

1. What happens if the score is still tied after one overtime period?

In both regular season and playoff games, the overtime period is 10 minutes long. If the score remains tied after the initial overtime, another overtime period will be played. This continues until a team leads after a possession.

2. Are the overtime rules the same for the regular season and the playoffs?

No, the overtime rules are slightly different. In the regular season, the first team to score wins, while in the playoffs, both teams are guaranteed possession, unless the first team scores a touchdown.

3. Does the coin toss matter in overtime?

Yes, the coin toss is critical. The team that wins the coin toss gets to decide whether to receive the ball, defer, or choose which end of the field they want to defend.

4. Can a game end in a tie in the playoffs?

No, playoff games cannot end in a tie. Overtime periods continue until one team leads after a possession.

5. How long is each overtime period?

Each overtime period is 10 minutes long in both the regular season and the playoffs.

6. What happens if the team with the ball scores a touchdown on the first possession in the playoffs?

If the team with the ball scores a touchdown on the first possession in the playoffs, the other team gets a possession to try and match the score or score and win.

Conclusion with CTA

Understanding NFL overtime rules enhances your enjoyment of the game. Now, you're equipped to appreciate the strategic decisions and dramatic moments that define overtime. Keep watching, and stay informed about the evolving rules of the game!

Last updated: October 26, 2024, 12:00 UTC