The maximum overtime period in the NFL regular season is 10 minutes. However, the rules for the postseason differ significantly, where games continue until a winner is determined.
NFL Regular Season Overtime Period
For regular season NFL games, if the score is tied at the end of regulation play, a single 10-minute overtime period ensues after a three-minute intermission. The goal of this period is to break the tie, though games can still end in a tie if neither team scores within the 10-minute window.
Key aspects of the regular season overtime rules include:
- Single Period: There is only one 10-minute period.
- Intermission: A three-minute break occurs before the start of the overtime period.
- Possession Guarantee: Each team must have the opportunity to possess the ball at least once.
- Touchdown Exception: The only exception to the possession guarantee is if the team that receives the opening kickoff of overtime scores a touchdown on that initial possession. In this specific scenario, the game immediately ends, and the scoring team wins, without the other team getting a chance to possess the ball.
- Game End: The game ends as soon as any score (field goal, safety, or touchdown) occurs, unless the initial possession touchdown exception is met.
Understanding NFL Overtime Rules
Overtime in the NFL is designed to provide a fair opportunity for both teams to score and win the game if regulation play concludes with a tie.
Here's a summary of the regular season overtime structure:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | One 10-minute period |
| Intermission | 3 minutes before the overtime period begins |
| Possession | Both teams are guaranteed at least one possession, unless the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown on its opening drive. |
| Scoring | A touchdown, field goal, or safety on the first possession ends the game, but only if the first team to possess the ball scores a touchdown. If the first team scores a field goal, the opponent still gets a possession opportunity. |
| Outcome | The game ends in a tie if no team scores, or if scores are equal after both teams have had a possession opportunity and time expires. Otherwise, the team that breaks the tie wins. |
How Regular Season Overtime Works
- Coin Toss: A coin toss determines which team receives the kickoff to start the overtime period.
- First Possession: The team that wins the coin toss can choose to receive or kick off.
- Scoring Opportunity:
- If the team with the first possession scores a touchdown on that drive, the game ends immediately, and they win.
- If the team with the first possession scores a field goal on that drive, the opposing team then gets an opportunity to possess the ball.
- If the opposing team also scores a field goal on their possession, the game continues until the next score or until time expires.
- If the opposing team scores a touchdown on their possession (after the first team's field goal), they win, and the game ends.
- If the first team punts or turns the ball over without scoring, the opposing team takes possession.
- Sudden Death/Time Expiration: After both teams have had an opportunity to possess the ball (unless the first team scored a touchdown), the game reverts to "sudden death" for the remainder of the 10-minute period. The next score by either team wins. If no further scoring occurs and the 10 minutes expire, the game ends in a tie.
Regular Season vs. Postseason Overtime
It's crucial to distinguish between regular season and postseason overtime rules. While regular season games can end in a tie, NFL playoff and Super Bowl games cannot. In the postseason, if the game remains tied after each team has had an opportunity to possess the ball, or if the first team to possess the ball scores a field goal, the game continues under sudden-death rules regardless of time, with the next score ending the game. This means postseason games can theoretically go on indefinitely until a winner is determined.
For more detailed information on NFL rules, including specifics on overtime, you can refer to the official NFL Football Operations website.
