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Radical new NFL overtime rule proposed to league Competition Committee

By Jacob Ellerbee

NFL News; MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks with the referees prior to Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NFL News; MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks with the referees prior to Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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New NFL overtime rule proposals have been submitted by three teams to the league’s Competition Committee

The NFL Competition Committee announced on March 16 that three teams have submitted a proposal to amend the NFL overtime rules.

The current NFL overtime rules, according to the league, state that a team can win the game if they win the coin toss and score a touchdown on their opening drive.

Here’s what the current rule states regarding overtime:

Current NFL overtime rules

  • At the end of regulation, the referee will toss a coin to determine which team will possess the ball first in overtime. The visiting team captain will call the toss.
  • No more than one 10-minute period will follow a three-minute intermission. Each team must possess, or have the opportunity to possess, the ball. The exception: if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown on the opening possession.

The Colts and the Eagles have reportedly submitted a new rule change to the committee for consideration. The amendment seems to be what a very vocal contingency of NFL fans have been clamoring for the last few years.

The Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles NFL overtime proposed amendment

  • Amend Rule 16
  • Allow both teams an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime

This rule change from the Colts and Eagles would create an equal playing field in overtime and put infinitely less responsibility on a coin toss to determine who wins the game.

However, the Tennessee Titans have submitted their own rule proposal that would make NFL overtime games exciting until the very last play.

Tennessee Titans propose radical new NFL overtime rule

  • Amend Rule 16, Section 1, Article 3
  • Allow both teams an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime unless the team with the first possession scores a touchdown and a successful two-point try.

The amendment proposed by the Titans is a really intriguing proposition. It would create some opportunities to see some epic goal-line stands. It would create a sort of reward for the opening team to go down and score the ball.

The key component here from the Titans is that the game wouldn’t end on the touchdown. The team could go for two and risk being ahead by just six points if they fail to cross the goal line.

It would then allow the opposing team to march down the field to score a touchdown and win the game on an extra point attempt.

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