The NFL last week altered its overtime rule, at least for postseason games.
The new rule is progress because now both teams will have the opportunity to possess the ball in a playoff game. The new policy passed by a 29-3 vote, with the Bengals, Vikings and Dolphins voting against it, according to Albert Breer.
If the score is tied after each team has possessed the ball once, then the next score wins. If the defensive team scores while the offensive team has possession, then the defensive team is the game’s winner.
No doubt the Buffalo/Kansas City playoff game in this past 2021 season, played a huge role in the policy decision. The game’s final quarter was epic, to say the least, the Chiefs won the toss, took possession in the overtime, drove down, and scored a touchdown to clinch the game. While Buffalo, under the old overtime policy was not granted an offensive possession.
A major change that is certain to occur is that there will now be some teams winning the toss, electing to kickoff. This will enable them to know precisely whether they need a field goal or a touchdown on their possession when they have their offensive opportunity.
One interesting alternative will be the second team, if needing to score a touchdown, could score a touchdown and then choose to go for the win with a two-point conversion attempt, rather than risk losing in sudden death.
Some teams will still choose to receive the ball, believing that if both teams score in the overtime, they would want the ball first following those scores because the first team then scores in sudden death is the winner.
Another wrinkle might be the first team awarded possession scoring a touchdown, might actually elect in some instances to choose the two-point conversion attempt, eliminating the possibility the second team could win with a successful two-point conversion. It won’t be a regularity, but some teams may choose to attempt the conversion from the 2-yard line rather than have a kick for one point from 32 yards. I see someone with a mobile quarterback such as Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson sometimes attempting such.