How NFL Overtime Rules Change Between Regular Season and Playoffs

In the National Football League, games that are tied at the end of regulation time proceed to an overtime period. The rules governing this overtime period differ significantly between the regular season and the playoffs, with specific procedures in place to determine a winner.

Main News

During the NFL regular season, overtime is a 10-minute period. The first team to score any points wins the game immediately under the sudden death rule. If neither team scores by the end of the 10-minute period, the game is recorded as a tie.

For playoff games, where a winner must be advanced, a full 15-minute overtime period is played. The rules are modified to ensure both teams have a possession opportunity. The team that wins the coin toss receives the ball first.

If the first team with the ball in playoff overtime scores a touchdown, the game ends. If that team scores only a field goal, the opposing team then receives a possession with a chance to score. If the score remains tied after both teams have had a possession, the game continues under sudden death rules, where the next team to score wins.

Summary

NFL games use overtime to break ties after the fourth quarter. The system is designed to produce a winner while accounting for the different stakes of regular season and postseason matches.

In the regular season, a single score in the 10-minute overtime period ends the game. If no points are scored, the result is a tie.

Playoff games use a 15-minute period with a modified sudden death system. This system guarantees the opposing team a possession if the first team scores only a field goal.

If the game remains tied after each team has had at least one possession, it then reverts to standard sudden death, where any subsequent score ends the game immediately.

FAQs

What happens if an NFL regular season game is still tied after overtime?
The game ends as a tie. Both teams’ records will reflect one tie for the season.

How do NFL playoff overtime rules differ from the regular season?
Playoff overtimes are 15 minutes long and have a rule that guarantees the other team a possession if the first team scores only a field goal. A touchdown on the first drive still ends the game immediately.

Can an NFL playoff game end in a tie?
No, playoff games cannot end in a tie. Overtime periods continue until a winner is determined, regardless of how many additional periods are required.