Current:Home > NewsRekubit Exchange:Super Bowl overtime rules: What to know if NFL's biggest game has tie after regulation -Thrive Financial Network
Rekubit Exchange:Super Bowl overtime rules: What to know if NFL's biggest game has tie after regulation
TrendPulse View
Date:2025-04-08 22:34:54
The Rekubit ExchangeNFL's overtime rules for the Super Bowl and postseason have evolved over the years, with the most recent tweak coming in 2022.
The rule adoption came in response to an instant classic between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC's divisional round, an eventual 42-36 Bills loss, In that playoff game, Buffalo did not have the chance to possess the ball despite a frenetic end to regulation in which both teams combined for 25 points inside the final two minutes.
Overtime in the regular season was not impacted by the changes.
Here's everything you need to know about the overtime rules before Super Bowl 58 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
How does overtime work in Super Bowl?
The format is quite similar to what fans are accustomed to in the regular season, with two significant exceptions: Both teams will have the chance to possess the ball and games cannot end in ties.
SUPER BOWL CENTRAL: Latest Super Bowl 58 news, stats, odds, matchups and more.
There is a three-minute intermission after the end of regulation, leading to a midfield coin toss exactly like the one at the start of games, during which the visiting team captain makes the call. The winning team can either choose to receive or kick the ball, opt to defend a certain goal post or defer the decision. If the team that receives the ball first scores a touchdown on its first possession, the game will continue and the second team will have the chance to possess the ball. If the game remains tied after the second team's possession ends, then sudden-death rules will apply: first score wins.
What happens if the game remains tied after one overtime period?
If the game is still tied at the end of the first overtime period, or if the second team's initial possession still has not concluded, the teams will play another period. Thereafter, play will continue until an eventual winner is determined, regardless of how many overtime periods are necessary.
In between each overtime period will be a two-minute intermission, though there will not be a halftime at the end of the second overtime period. The timing rules that apply to the second and fourth quarters of regular-season games – such as two-minute warnings and clock stoppages when players run out of bounds – will also apply in the second and fourth overtime periods.
If there is no winner at the end of a fourth overtime period, another coin toss will take place and play will resume.
Why did NFL make changes?
The playoffs remain the showcase of the NFL season, and extending tied games so that both offenses can possess the ball is a calculated move that only adds intrigue and value for fans watching games.
From 2010-2021, when the NFL implemented its previous standard for playoff games, seven of the 12 overtime games were won on an opening-possession touchdown, and 10 of 12 were won by the team that won the coin toss.
"That data was compelling to us and to the league," Falcons president and chairman of the competition committee Rich McKay said in March 2022. "An amendment was added (to the original proposal by the Colts and Eagles) to not make a change in the regular season, but in the postseason, where our problem principally lies."
How many Super Bowls have gone to overtime?
Only one Super Bowl has ever needed overtime, and it didn't happen until Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots stormed back from a 28-3 deficit to score 25 unanswered points and send the game into OT, during which New England scored first on a James White touchdown run to end the game.
Contributing: Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, Casey Moore
veryGood! (948)
Related
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Browns QB Deshaun Watson continues to make a complete fool of himself
- Starter homes are worth $1 million in 237 U.S. cities. See where they're located.
- The oddball platypus is in trouble. Researchers have a plan to help.
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Johnny Depp pays tribute to late 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor Tamayo Perry
- Lana Condor Details “Sheer Devastation” After Death of Mom Mary Condor
- Go To Bed 'Ugly,' Wake up Pretty: Your Guide To Getting Hotter in Your Sleep
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Olympian Nikki Hiltz is model for transgender, nonbinary youth when they need it most
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Borel Fire in Kern County has burned thousands of acres, destroyed mining town Havilah
- Former MLB Pitcher Reyes Moronta Dead at 31 in Traffic Accident
- Justin Bieber Cradles Pregnant Hailey Bieber’s Baby Bump in New Video
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- 11-year-old accused of swatting, calling in 20-plus bomb threats to Florida schools
- Former tennis great Michael Chang the focus of new ESPN documentary
- Paris Olympics organizers apologize after critics say 'The Last Supper' was mocked
Recommendation
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
Torri Huske, Gretchen Walsh swim to Olympic gold, silver in women's 100 butterfly
Video shows hordes of dragonflies invade Rhode Island beach terrifying beachgoers: Watch
The oddball platypus is in trouble. Researchers have a plan to help.
Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
She took on world's largest porn site for profiting off child abuse. She's winning.
Lady Gaga Confirms Engagement to Michael Polansky at 2024 Olympics
Gospel group the Nelons being flown by Georgia state official in fatal Wyoming crash