The NFL overtime rule has been a controversial topic for a while, but has resurfaced due to the ending of the Bills and Chiefs playoff game that took place on January 23rd. Many people viewed this as one of the best postseason games of all time, largely because of the rapid scoring at the end. To put in perspective, in the last four drives, there were 25 points scored, including a game tying field goal by the Chiefs to send it into overtime. With the current postseason overtime rules, "Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner." That being said, the Chiefs won the coin toss, and marched right down the field giving the Bills no chance at winning. This is the main problem with the overtime rules. Both teams aren’t given a guaranteed possession
Despite this game being a month ago, this argument is still heating up. As of February 27, the Indianapolis Colts proposed guaranteeing both teams a possession in overtime. This would not only be in the postseason, but in the regular season as well. Moreover, many people believe that they should switch the rules to what college football uses. In college football, the ball is placed on the 25 yard line, and both teams are given a chance to score. If it goes into double overtime, then the ball is still placed at the 25, and both teams are still given a chance to score, but they must go for a two point conversion. If they end up going into a third overtime, then they alternate going for two point conversions until a team wins. These are simple rules that give both teams a possession, and don't make the game last too long. Another solution is implementing the sudden death rule after each team gets one possession. This is good because it gives both teams a chance, but bad because it will still be dependent on a coin toss. For example, think of the Bills vs. Chiefs game previously mentioned. If the Chiefs win the toss, and score right away, and then the Bills go score. The Chiefs could simply kick a field goal to win, meaning it’s still dependent on the coin toss. One last solution is that they could just play out the whole overtime, which is 10 minutes in the regular season, and 15 minutes in the postseason. This is a basic rule that won’t confuse any fans, and it solves the recent coin toss controversy.
Personally, I think that the NFL overtime rules are terrible and that they must be changed. I believe that both teams should be given a possession, and that the outcome of the game shouldn’t be determined by the flip of a coin. I think that the best way to solve this issue is to change the rules to the current college rules. These rules will provide a fair overtime, and they won’t let the game go on for too long, which could injure the players. It will also provide for a fun, action packed ending like we saw during the Alabama vs. Auburn Iron Bowl earlier this year.
Do you think the Bills deserved a posession?
Do you like the current overtime rules?
What would you change the rules to?
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/1/23/18194165/overtime-rule-changes
Replies
Good topic choice and great job Mason! Be sure to reply back on three different days next time.
Change the rules to be like college OT!
No, the bills did not deserve another posession, it was a good game, they just couldn't make a stop on D. The rules we have now are fine and if they were to ever change them I would like to see playoff OT change only and make it like college OT.
I don't know much about football but I do think that the rules should be changed. Games should be fare and each team should be given a chance. The fate of a football game shouldn't be left up to the flip of a coin. I think they should change to college football rules.
I think the Bils should have recieved another possesion although they did decline the change to the overtime rule previous to the NFL season this year. I don't like the current overtime rules because the game is pretty decided by the calling of a coin toss.
Even though I am not really a Bills fan, I do think that the Bills should have at least gotten a chance to play offense. I personally hate the NFL overtime rules. They don't make sense and there is always some sort of controversy surrounding them. I think if they play overtime like college football does it would be a lot better and more entertaining.
I agree that the current rules create too much controversy, and that if they switched to college it would be more exciting.
I think the Bills should have recieved another possesion because it is fair and it would of made the game more interesting. I don't like the overtime rules because it seems to keep coming up that the game is decided by a coin toss. I think that we should keep playing fairly like in college until someone wins the game.
I think that the curren over time rules are not good. They need to go intel someone wins and scores. I would change them to that flip a coin and than go intel one of them scores. Football you want to win not end in a tie or anything of that sorts.
I agree that they shouldn't be able to end in a tie.
I do believe that the overtime rules need to be changed. Basically whoever wins the coin toss will win the game. I think that both teams should get posession of the ball, that way it makes it fair. I think many people would like to see the rules get changed.
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