POSTSEASON OVERTIME CHANGES - Ingles

NFL owners voted at the Annual Meeting in March to amend overtime rules for the postseason to a MODIFIED SUDDEN DEATH format. Teams will now have the opportunity to possess the ball at least once in the extra period unless the team that receives the overtime kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession.

“We felt this year’s proposal gave us the opportunity to make a pretty good rule even better for the players,” says Atlanta Falcons President and Co-Chairman of the NFL Competition Committee RICH MC KAY (left). “I really believe the more you talk about the issue, the more you understand the statistics, the more you say there must be a change.”

The sudden-death overtime system that has been in place since 1974 will still be used for preseason and regular-season NFL games.

Here’s a look at the NFL’s overtime procedures:

PRESEASON & REGULAR SEASON – SUDDEN DEATH
The sudden death system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of regulation playing time of preseason and regular-season NFL games. The
team scoring first during overtime play shall be the winner and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the Referee for a palpably unfair act.

• At the end of regulation time, the Referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

• Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, play will continue for one 15- minute period or until there is a score. Each team has two time-outs. General timing provisions that apply for the fourth quarter will prevail. The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not
allowed to return.

• Instant Replay: No challenges. Reviews to be initiated by the replay assistant.

POSTSEASON – MODIFIED SUDDEN DEATH
The modified sudden death system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of regulation playing time of postseason NFL games. The system guarantees each team a possession or the opportunity to possess, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession.

• At the end of regulation time, the Referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame
toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

• Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, play will be continued in 15- minute periods until a winner is declared. Each team must possess or have the opportunity to possess the ball unless the team that has the ball first scores a touchdown on its initial possession. Play continues in sudden death until a winner is determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the Referee for a palpably unfair act. Each team has three time-outs per half and all general timing
provisions apply as during a regular game. The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.

• Instant Replay: No challenges. Reviews to be initiated by the replay assistant.

Key Definitions:
Possession
Actual possession of the ball with complete control. The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball.

Opportunity to possess
The opportunity to possess occurs only during kicking plays. A kickoff is an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or a field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receivers. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.