Why the NFL Should Change its Overtime Rules

The Super Bowl is near, but will the NFL’s overtime rule have great effect on the outcome of each game?

Daniel X. O'Neil

The 2022 Super Bowl Championship game this year is between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams

 

Offense wins games and defensive wins championships. Where does the quote say that a coin toss should determine the outcome of a game?

The sudden death NFL overtime rule has been in affect since 2010.

“In 12 playoff games, teams that win the coin toss are 10-2,”  The sporting news says.

Here’s an example of the overtime rule in effect of the 2022 playoffs.

The Bills were up by seven points with just 13 seconds  left. The Bills were hugging and celebrating after an incredible run and two point conversion only to be let down by Patrick Mahomes’ arm and Tyreek Hill’s cheetah speed completing the touchdown to tie the game.

And then the game went to overtime…

Heads or tails, the ref called.

The chiefs won the coin toss and strategically went on offense.

The offense scored a touchdown not giving Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen a chance to run a play. Finally the game was over, all because of the overtime rule.

In simple terms, each team may get the chance to run the ball unless the team that gets the first possession scores a touchdown.

The General Manger of the Bills, Brandon Beane, says things may need to be changed.

“I’m not saying I have the exact idea, but I think there’s some ways to do it. Without getting into detail, I think there’s a way you can do it in the regular season that handles that, but let’s do something in the postseason when it’s all on the line,” Beane said during an interview from Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.

Even the Chiefs opted for a change to the overtime rules after the 2019 AFC championship loss to New England.

Their proposal suggested, “allow[ing] both teams the opportunity to possess the ball at least one time in overtime, even if the first team to possess the ball in overtime scores a touchdown,” instead of  “sudden death” scoring.

The NFL could also try to follow the NCAA College Football format.

The college rules allows for each to to attempt to score a touchdown. After that in the second overtime period  they must both try to work to complete a two point conversion after each touchdown and then in the third overtime each will alternate two point conversions only.

This also limits the injury of players while giving a fair chance for each team to score.

The new college rules came after the Texas A&M and LSU 2018 overtime showdown which lasted over four hours and led to player injuries.

While the NFL’s overtime format could keep you on the edge of your seat as you hope for your defense to stop the other team, it would be nice to see the offense get in for a fair chance.