NFL could change overtime format for playoffs

[MASSgains88]

INDIANAPOLIS – An NFL spokesman said Saturday the league could change its overtime format for playoff games at a meeting next month.

Under the new format, both teams would get the ball at least once unless the first team to get the ball scores a touchdown, Greg Aiello said. If the first team to get the ball makes a field goal and the other team ties the game, action would continue until a team scores again.

Under the current rules, the first team to score wins.

"There have been various concepts that have been discussed in recent years, but this one has never been proposed," Aiello said.

The competition committee will discuss the new concept with teams and players at league meetings March 21-24 in Orlando, Fla., when it could come to a vote. At least two thirds of the teams would need to agree to the changes for new rules to be adopted.

The competition committee met with the players' union and players on Thursday during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Discussion continued when the competition committee met with a general managers' advisory committee on Friday.

The debate about the rules gained steam after the NFC championship game, when New Orleans beat Minnesota 31-28 in overtime and Brett Favre's Vikings never got the ball in the extra period. Under the proposed rule, Minnesota would have gotten another possession because the Vikings didn't allow a touchdown.

Overtime was adopted for regular season games in 1974, a sudden-death format that allowed games to end in a tie if neither team scored in 15 minutes. Overtime for playoff games always has been sudden death.

What does everyone think about this?

 

[PH3AR]

I hope they don't change the rule, this is the NFL and a teams defense should have the confidence and skill level to stop a offense in OT

 

[xtop]

i think this would be great. the way it is now, whoever gets the ball first is usually the team who wins. the set up in ncaa is much more exciting imo

 

[MASSgains88]

i think this would be great. the way it is now, whoever gets the ball first is usually the team who wins. the set up in ncaa is much more exciting imo

I agree. It seems like whoever wins the coin toss...wins the game, which kind of sucks.

 

[Glen-BoB]

That's basically CFL rules and I think it would make the OT much more fair. There are alot of CFL rules that I find to be rediculous but this is not one of em.

 

[Horhay]

Makes sense and gives the a much fair opportunity to win to both teams.

 

[DaMexiRican]

I would like the change. It is for Playoffs only anyway. Not the regular season games.

 

[Blu_Death]

i like this rule, it wudve made the greenbay and cardinals game this year way bettter....

 

[mobius387]

I agree. It seems like whoever wins the coin toss...wins the game, which kind of sucks.

see, i use to think this until they showed the stat for playoff overtime games and it was just about 50/50 for teams winning the toss and teams losing the toss. so to me, that says that the coinflip doesn't really have an effect on who wins the game, its how each team's offense/defense responds to their particular situation.

so im not as against the NFL's overtime system as I was before I learned that stat. however, i still do agree that CFB's is slightly better as it gives both teams an opportunity for both their offense and defense to play the game, which is more reflective of the teams who are playing.

 

[MASSgains88]

see, i use to think this until they showed the stat for playoff overtime games and it was just about 50/50 for teams winning the toss and teams losing the toss. so to me, that says that the coinflip doesn't really have an effect on who wins the game, its how each team's offense/defense responds to their particular situation.

so im not as against the NFL's overtime system as I was before I learned that stat. however, i still do agree that CFB's is slightly better as it gives both teams an opportunity for both their offense and defense to play the game, which is more reflective of the teams who are playing.

Interesting...

I agree it is better to allow both teams a chance on offense. I never liked how the Quarterback from the opposing team could lose the game without ever getting up off the bench.