There is momentum to change the overtime rules in the NFL. Though, what the change would be and whether the momentum is enough to make a change happen remains to be seen.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that two different tweaks have been discussed. One would guarantee each team a possession, the other would be a tweak to the present rule.
“The Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles made a simple proposal to allow both teams an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime,” Birkett said. “The Tennessee Titans proposed both teams possess the ball, unless the team with first possession scores a touchdown and makes a two-point conversion.”
So, those are the ideas, what’s next?
For the rule to be changed, 24 owners would need to agree. Competition committee chairman Rich McKay said (per Birkett) that “My history on this rule tells me that 24 votes is not easy to get.”
And if the NFL owners are as divided as fans on Twitter, he’s right.
Some fans praised the idea of a change. Tennessee’s idea, in particular, struck a chord with people. But beyond that, the call for a change was loud.
I like @Titans thinking but still have to give both offenses a chance.
Just eliminate OT PATs and give both teams possession. Problem solved @NFL https://t.co/yTsgel5wtK
— 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 (@exavierpope) March 25, 2022
Thank you! #CantWait https://t.co/QDCPOsy1oQ
— Dave Schroeder (@SchroederWBAY) March 25, 2022
I hope this happens. I hated watching that Chiefs vs Bills game in the playoffs end on a coin toss. https://t.co/r0znWh0IbT
— The Entertainah (@TheEntertainah) March 25, 2022
Titans’ proposal would be great.
Should a team risk it for the win and go for two? If they don’t convert, all the other team needs is a PAT after the tying touchdown to win it. Essentially a GW field goal.
Anything that adds to the strategy is a favorable solution, imo. https://t.co/cByUuMZumS
— Evan Winter (@evan_AtoZ) March 25, 2022
However, the call to keep things as is was also loud. There are a number of fans who feel that the Buffalo Bills losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in a overtime thriller in the playoffs without touching the ball is not enough to warrant a change. Furthermore, if anything should change, it’s the way the defenses play.
So when both teams get the ball and both score a TD, when the team who gets it next scores a TD to win are we then going to whine that the other team didn't get the ball a 2nd time?
Seriously, when does it end? Is playing defense no longer a part of the game? #NFLTwitter https://t.co/G5yAu9Z1JQ
— Matt (@JerseySuave4) March 25, 2022
There is a consensus
The Consensus being DEFENSES STEP UP IN OVERTIME https://t.co/sHbPh0XXK0
— Marlin Mealer aka Halfpint 🥃 (@Halfpintspoint) March 25, 2022
This is really unnecessary https://t.co/LOTVUeTn7H
— Cat Daddy (@Richdatdude) March 25, 2022
Another unpopular opinion: I have no problem with the current overtime setup. 🤷♂️
Playing defense is a part of football, too. https://t.co/1Jxh8TJCOI
— Brent Sobleski (@brentsobleski) March 25, 2022
If you want to prevent an overtime coin flip, win in regulation. https://t.co/qUtInLfhl3
— OG Blue Check Billy Procida (@TheBillyProcida) March 25, 2022
Truthfully, if Kansas City’s win over Buffalo is a sign that a change is needed, what happened the next week could be a sign that it’s not. The Chiefs won the coin toss in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals but lost the game.
That said, McKay pointed out that since the current rule was instituted, 12 playoff games have gone to overtime. Ten of those 12 games were won by the time that won the coin toss. Of those 10, the team that won the coin toss won the game on its first possession.
Whether that’s enough to warrant a change remains to be seen.
