[DwightShrute]

As you may (or may not) recall, the NFL Competition committee voted last off-season to alter the overtime rules for the playoffs. The basic premise behind the rule change is to prevent the team that wins the coin toss from winning with a field goal without the opposing team having an opportunity to touch the football. With the NFL Playoffs set to kick off this weekend, we decided to take a closer look at those new OT rules.

Here’s how the new Post-Season OT rules break down:

• Overtime is still 15 minute periods and begins with a coin flip with the winner of the flip choosing whether to kick or receive.
• If the team who receives the ball first in overtime scores a touchdown, they are the winner.
• If the team receiving the ball kicks a field goal on that first possession, the other team will get a possession. If that team scores a touchdown, they are the winner.
• If the score is still tied after those initial possessions, the game then follows the same sudden death format that the NFL uses in the regular season.

So, both teams will get at least one possession unless the first team to possess the ball scores a TD. Obviously, there can be no tie, so if the initial 15 minute quarter expires without a winner, subsequent 15 minute quarters will be played until someone scores.

http://www.sportsgeekery.com/2011/01...les-explained/

[OmgUrMom]

yup.

and lol at tony dungy not liking the new rule because its tough on coaches because its so complicated. gimme a break, if you cant figure that out easily u shouldnt be a coach in the nfl

[k13]

"We want the ball, and we’re gonna score!"

[DwightShrute]

well we won't see it this game

[Ibrakadabra]

Makes sense, strange itīs not effective during regular. Games decided by coin toss is just as crazy at that time...

[Cookie Monster]

What happens if he kickoff team does an onside kick? Are they considered "the receiving team", or the game reverts to sudden death?

[JD426]

teams only get the "opportunity to possess the ball" so an onside kick counts as a possession for the receiving team. So if the kicking team recovers it's sudden death.

It seems like an onside kick on the opening kickoff of OT is well worth the risk with these new playoff rules. Even if it's unsuccessful, the receiving team has to score a TD to end the game. If they get a field goal, you still get an opportunity to score. However, like I said before, if you recover the kick all you need to do is go 25 yards and kick a FG. Also, as pathetic as it is, I'm sure some coaches are unaware of how this rule works as well so they would likely not suspect an onside kick, thinking that they are guaranteed a possession before sudden death.

[pico]

seems fair. each team offense should get a chance

[DwightShrute]

will this be the first game?