NFL Overtime Rules: What To Know For 2025

Nick Leason

-Nov 17, 2025

NFL Overtime Rules: What To Know For 2025

In the NFL, a game tied at the end of regulation moves into overtime. Understanding how overtime works is crucial for fans, bettors, and even players themselves. This article breaks down the current NFL overtime rules, how they've evolved, and what they mean for the 2025 season.

Key Takeaways

NFL overtime ensures games have a winner, preventing ties in most situations.
The current sudden-death format was significantly altered in 2010 (for playoffs) and 2012 (for regular season) to give both teams a chance to possess the ball.
In the regular season, if the score is still tied after each team has had a possession, the game ends in a tie.
In the playoffs, overtime continues until a winner is determined.
Recent rule changes have further adjusted overtime, including ensuring both teams possess the ball in the regular season unless the first team scores a touchdown.

Introduction to NFL Overtime

What happens when an NFL game is tied after four quarters? The clock resets, and a new period, known as overtime, begins. The primary goal of NFL overtime rules is to determine a clear winner, reducing the frequency of ties that were once more common. These rules have undergone significant changes over the years, aiming for fairness and excitement. For the 2025 season, the fundamental structure established in recent years remains in place, ensuring a structured approach to breaking ties.

What Are NFL Overtime Rules and Why Do They Matter?

NFL overtime is a period played after regulation time ends with the score tied. Its purpose is to avoid ties and declare a victor, which is essential for standings, playoff seeding, and fan engagement. The stakes are high, as a single overtime possession can decide a team's fate for the season. — Pennsylvania Elections 2025: Your Guide

Historical Context: Before 2010, NFL overtime operated under a strict sudden-death format. The first team to score, via a touchdown, field goal, or safety, won the game immediately. This often led to games ending controversially, with one team not getting a chance to possess the ball.

The Shift to Modified Sudden Death: Recognizing the potential for unfairness, the NFL adopted a modified sudden-death system. This change ensured that if the team receiving the kickoff scored only a field goal, the opposing team would get a chance to possess the ball. If the receiving team scored a touchdown, the game ended immediately. — Mt. Juliet, TN Zip Code: Find It Here!

The Current System (Post-2017): The rules were further refined, particularly for the postseason, and then adapted for the regular season. The current framework generally guarantees both teams a chance to possess the ball, unless specific scoring scenarios occur.

Why it Matters:

Fairness: Guarantees both teams have an opportunity to win.
Fan Engagement: Creates dramatic, high-stakes moments.
Standings & Playoffs: Overtime outcomes directly impact playoff berths and seeding.
Betting: Overtime rules are critical for understanding point spreads and game outcomes in sports betting.

How NFL Overtime Works: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

NFL overtime procedures differ slightly between the regular season and the playoffs. Understanding these nuances is key. — Virginia Governor Election: Key Candidates & Issues

Regular Season Overtime (10-Minute Period)

Coin Toss: A coin toss is conducted to determine which team receives the ball first.
First Possession: The team that wins the coin toss elects to receive or defer. If they choose to receive, they begin their drive at their own 25-yard line.
Game Outcome Scenarios:
- Touchdown: If the team that receives the kickoff scores a touchdown on its opening possession, the game is over. They win.
- Field Goal: If the team that receives the kickoff scores a field goal on its opening possession, the opposing team gets a chance to possess the ball.
  - If the opposing team scores a touchdown, they win.
  - If the opposing team scores a field goal, the game continues. Play resumes with the next possession starting from where the ball is spotted (subject to rules about moving the ball).
  - If the opposing team fails to score (e.g., turnover, fails to convert on fourth down), the team that kicked the field goal wins.
- No Score: If the team that receives the kickoff fails to score (e.g., punts, turns the ball over, misses a field goal), the opposing team gets possession. Any score on this subsequent possession wins the game.
Game Ends in a Tie: If the 10-minute overtime period expires and the score is still tied (meaning neither team scored, or both teams scored the same number of points, and the score is level after both teams have had at least one possession, unless the first team scored a touchdown), the game ends in a tie.

Playoff Overtime (15-Minute Periods)

Playoff overtime rules are designed to ensure a winner is determined, meaning the game continues until a score breaks the tie.

Coin Toss: Same as the regular season.
First Possession: Similar to the regular season, the receiving team gets the ball.
Game Outcome Scenarios:
- Touchdown: If the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown on its opening possession, the game is over. They win.
- Field Goal: If the team receiving the kickoff scores a field goal on its opening possession, the opposing team gets a chance to possess the ball.
  - If the opposing team scores a touchdown, they win.
  - If the opposing team scores a field goal, the game continues. The next score of any kind wins.
  - If the opposing team fails to score, the team that kicked the field goal wins.
- No Score: If the team receiving the kickoff fails to score, the opposing team gets possession. Any score on this subsequent possession wins the game.
Subsequent Possessions: If the score remains tied after both teams have had an opportunity to possess the ball (and the first team didn't score a TD), overtime continues. The next score of any kind (touchdown, field goal, or safety) wins the game.
Multiple Overtime Periods: If the score is still tied after the first 15-minute overtime period, another 15-minute period begins, following the same rules. This continues until a winner is decided.

Key Differences for 2022 Season (and continuing in 2025)

Guaranteed Possessions (Regular Season): The most significant change, implemented in 2022 and continued, is that both teams are guaranteed an opportunity to possess the ball unless the team receiving the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession.
- If the first team scores a field goal, the second team gets a possession. If the second team then scores a touchdown, they win. If they score a field goal, the game continues. If they fail to score, the first team wins.
- If the first team fails to score, the second team gets possession, and any score wins.
Playoffs: The playoff rules remain largely the same as prior years, ensuring a winner through continuous overtime periods until a score occurs.

Example Scenarios

Let's illustrate how these rules play out:

Scenario 1: Regular Season Game - Team A vs. Team B

Regulation ends tied 20-20.
Coin toss: Team A wins and elects to receive.
Team A drives and kicks a 35-yard field goal. Score: 23-20 Team A.
Team B now receives the kickoff. They drive down the field and score a touchdown. Score: 27-23 Team B.
Result: Team B wins. (Team B got its possession because Team A only scored a field goal).

Scenario 2: Regular Season Game - Team C vs. Team D

Regulation ends tied 17-17.
Coin toss: Team D wins and elects to receive.
Team D drives and scores a touchdown on its first possession. Score: 24-17 Team D.
Result: Team D wins. (The game ends immediately because the first team scored a touchdown).

Scenario 3: Regular Season Game - Team E vs. Team F

Regulation ends tied 30-30.
Coin toss: Team E wins and elects to receive.
Team E drives but turns the ball over on downs at midfield.
Team F now gets the ball. They drive and kick a 40-yard field goal. Score: 33-30 Team F.
Result: Team F wins. (Team E failed to score on its possession, so Team F only needed to score to win).

Scenario 4: Playoff Game - Team G vs. Team H

Regulation ends tied 24-24.
Coin toss: Team G wins and receives.
Team G drives and scores a touchdown. Score: 31-24 Team G.
Result: Team G wins. (Same as regular season scenario 2).

Scenario 5: Playoff Game - Team I vs. Team J

Regulation ends tied 10-10.
Coin toss: Team J wins and receives.
Team J drives but misses a field goal. No score.
Team I gets the ball. They drive and score a touchdown. Score: 17-10 Team I.
Result: Team I wins. (Team J failed to score, so Team I's touchdown ended the game).

Scenario 6: Playoff Game - Team K vs. Team L

Regulation ends tied 13-13.
Coin toss: Team K wins and receives.
Team K kicks a field goal. Score: 16-13 Team K.
Team L receives. They kick a field goal. Score: 16-16.
The score is still tied. Overtime continues. Team K receives the kickoff for the next possession. If they score any points, they win. If they don't, Team L gets a possession, and any score wins.

Best Practices and Common Mistakes

Best Practices:

For Coaches: Have a clear offensive and defensive strategy tailored for overtime. Understand clock management is still crucial, even with a running clock in some playoff scenarios.
For Players: Maintain focus. The pressure intensifies, but execution remains paramount. Avoid mental errors like penalties or turnovers.
For Fans: Appreciate the strategy. Overtime often becomes a chess match between coaches, with adjustments being key.
For Bettors: Always check the specific rules for the league and type of game (regular season vs. playoff) you are betting on. Overtime outcomes can significantly impact parlays and teasers.

Common Mistakes:

Misunderstanding Rule Nuances: The biggest mistake is assuming the old sudden-death rules still apply or not understanding the difference between regular season and playoff overtime.
Over-Aggressiveness/Conservatism: Coaches might play too conservatively, fearing a mistake, or too aggressively, leading to a critical turnover.
Forgetting Playoff Continuation: In playoffs, teams might relax slightly after a field goal, forgetting the game isn't over until the opponent fails to match or beat the score.
Ignoring Fatigue: Overtime periods can lead to increased player fatigue, affecting performance. Teams that manage substitutions and timeouts effectively can gain an advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if the score is still tied after the first overtime period in a regular season game?

If the 10-minute regular season overtime period expires and the score remains tied, the game ends, and it is declared a tie. No further overtime periods are played.

Can a safety end an NFL overtime game?

Yes, a safety can end an NFL overtime game. If a team commits a safety on a possession in overtime, the opposing team is awarded two points and wins the game (or the game continues if it was the first possession and the score is still tied after the penalty).

Have the NFL overtime rules changed recently?

Yes, the most significant recent change was implemented in 2022, ensuring both teams get a possession in the regular season unless the first team scores a touchdown. These rules have largely remained consistent for the 2023 and 2024 seasons and are expected to continue for 2025.

Are overtime rules the same for college football and the NFL?

No, college football overtime rules are very different. College overtime typically involves both teams getting a possession starting from the opponent's 25-yard line, with the process repeating until a winner is determined. It does not involve a timed period like the NFL.

What if the first team scores a touchdown and the second team also scores a touchdown on their possession in the playoffs?

In the playoffs, if the first team scores a touchdown, the game is over. The second team does not get a possession in that scenario. The rule guaranteeing both possessions only applies if the first team does not score a touchdown on its initial drive (e.g., kicks a field goal or fails to score).

Conclusion: The Evolution of NFL Overtime Fairness

The NFL's overtime rules have evolved significantly from the strict sudden-death era to the current modified systems designed to provide fairness and ensure a decisive winner. For the 2025 season, fans can expect continued excitement and strategic depth as teams navigate these overtime frameworks. Whether it's a regular-season tie-breaker or a playoff nail-biter, understanding these rules enhances the viewing experience and the strategic appreciation of America's favorite sport.

Ready to test your knowledge? Dive deeper into NFL strategy or explore betting strategies related to overtime scenarios!

Last updated: October 26, 2023, 14:00 UTC