The NFL‘s Annual League Meeting has brought eyes back on overtime rules in the NFL.
The NFL has changed overtime rules over the years, with the most recent coming in 2017.
But the first major change came in 2010 when the NFL ended the sudden death version of overtime for the playoffs.
It would change the requirement from any score ending the game to only a touchdown ending the game on the first possession.
That would give teams a chance if their opponent scored a field goal on their first drive.
A field goal could still end the game, but only after both teams have had one possession.
The rule would make its way into regular season games.
However, it wouldn’t be until 2012 that the NFL would do this.
So what are some of the new rule changes for overtime in the NFL that teams want?
Colts And Eagles Look For More College Like Overtime Rules.
One proposal looks for teams in overtime to get at least one possession.
An #NFL overtime rule change proposal by the #Colts and #Eagles, via NFL.
One of these is better than the other. pic.twitter.com/soRlnrjyIT
— Jackson Roberts (@WHEC_JRoberts) March 16, 2022
Regardless of if the team scores a touchdown or field goal.
The rule change would be slightly similar to college overtime rules.
College rules allow both teams to have one possession.
However, college rules have the ball spotted on the opponents 25-yard line.
Their overtime doesn’t have a game clock, meaning there are multiple overtimes if both teams are still tied.
Those aspects aren’t in the proposal, but would make for a more exciting overtime.
Titans Look To Make Teams Score A Two-Point Conversion To End Overtime
The Tennessee Titans’ suggestion has a twist that would make for an interesting overtime.
They want both teams to have a possession, unless the team that has the ball first scores a two-point conversion.
That gives teams in overtime that risk vs reward option after scoring a touchdown.
The league average for 2021 was around 50%.
If a team misses the two-point conversion, the other team would just need a touchdown and extra point to win.
So while it is an interesting twist to the overtime rules, it might not play out well if adopted by the league.
But why the sudden push by teams to change the overtime rules?
Last Season’s Overtime Games Prompt Calls For New Rules
One game stands out with the fans and teams of the NFL regarding overtime.
That game was the Buffalo Bills versus Kansas City Chiefs AFC Divisional Round game.
The NFL discussing overtime rule change ….🗣The ONLY reason is because of the Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs game!!!!!!
— Nick Hickle (@nickhickle33) March 28, 2022
The game would go into overtime with the Chiefs getting the first possession.
It would be all they needed, as they drove downfield and scored the game-winning touchdown.
Buffalo never had the chance to have a drive of their own to tie the game.
It would spark the debate about allowing both teams to have a possession, no matter what the team scored.
But my option of why the rules need a change hinge on the overtime games in the regular season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made it into the playoffs because of a tie in overtime.
Had they lost, they wouldn’t have made the playoffs.
The actual change needs to come from allowing there to be tied games.
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