NFL owners make major change to postseason overtime rules

NFL owners approved a big change to the league’s overtime rules on Monday, per NFL reporter Albert Breer. The new rile eliminates the ability to win with a touchdown on the first possession, requiring each time to get the ball at least once during the extra period and will apply to postseason games only.

The approved proposal was one of two on the table for owners, as the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts worked together to come up with it. The other proposal being considered would have required one possession for each team unless the team that receives the first possession scores both a touchdown and two-point conversion. One anonymous NFL head coach told reporter Tom Pelissero he thinks many teams that receive the first possession will still opt for a two-point conversion anyhow, rather than giving the second team the opportunity to win at the end of the game.

The move comes after much debate regarding the NFL’s overtime over the past few playoffs. As of 2010, seven of 12 overtime playoff games have been won on the first possession of the extra period. Additionally, the team that won the coin toss claimed victory in the game 10 out of 12 times.

The most recent example of this came during the AFC divisional round playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills this past season. That contest ended with an offensive showcase that saw both teams combine for 17 points over the final two minutes of regulation. After the Chiefs kicked a field goal to send the game into overtime, they won the coin toss and scored on the first possession. To many, it seemed unfair that Josh Allen and the Bills never got a chance to answer, especially on such a big stage.

New York Giants co-owner John Mara and NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay both expressed doubts that the league would receive enough votes to change its overtime rules. However, ultimately the league received the necessary 24 votes to move forward.

League owners also approved a permanent a change from the 2021 season that established a maximum number of players in the setup zone on kickoffs. That will increase the likelihood of onside kick recoveries.