In order to lessen the advantage for teams that win the coin toss, the NFL is thinking about altering the regular season overtime regulations. At the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday, league executive Troy Vincent stated: “It’s time to rethink the overtime rule,”
According to Vincent, the competition committee concurs that overtime regulations require attention. Compared to before 2011, when overtime was a sudden-death phase, getting the ball first has been more advantageous. Between 2017 and 2024, receiving teams won 56.8% of games in overtime, up from 55.4% between 2001 and 2011.
Unless a touchdown is scored on the first possession, both teams get a chance to have the ball in overtime under current regulations.
The playoffs have distinct regulations. Even if the offense scores a touchdown on the first drive, both teams still have an opportunity to have a possession. Following the Buffalo Bills’ divisional round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in January 2022, the postseason was altered.
One potential approach is to lengthen the duration to 15 minutes and make the overtime regulations the same.
The NFL intends to define first downs in 2025 using its virtual measurement method, among other modifications. The officials who physically spot the ball and mark the line to gain with chains would still be in place. If the ball is sighted by hand and a first down is gained, the best tracking technology immediately alerts the referee.
