If you’ve ever watched an NFL game that ended tied after four intense quarters, you probably asked the same question many fans do: How exactly does overtime work in the NFL?
Football overtime rules have evolved over the years to make the game fairer and more exciting — especially during playoffs. In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know to understand NFL overtime (OT), from regular season formats to postseason must-wins. Whether you're a long-time football fan or someone catching up before the next big game, this article explains OT in a simple, clear, and engaging way.
What Is Overtime in the NFL?
Overtime is an extra period played when a game is tied at the end of regulation. Because NFL games cannot end in a tie during the postseason, OT rules vary depending on whether the game is part of the regular season or playoffs.
The goal of OT is simple: determine a winner — but the method the league uses is designed to balance fairness, excitement, and player safety.
The Current NFL Regular Season OT Rules
Regular-season overtime is structured to keep games competitive while limiting player fatigue and health risks. Here’s how it works:
Length of Overtime
NFL regular-season OT consists of one 10-minute period. This was shortened from 15 minutes in 2017 to reduce player wear and tear.
Coin Toss
A coin toss decides which team gets the first possession. The visiting team calls the toss. This coin toss is critical because it can influence momentum, although it’s no longer as decisive as it once was under older sudden-death rules.
Modified Sudden Death Format
The NFL uses a “modified sudden death” approach:
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If the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown, the game ends immediately.
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If they score a field goal, the game continues, giving the other team a chance to tie or win.
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If both teams end up scoring a field goal on their first possessions, the next score of any kind wins the game.
Defensive Touchdowns End the Game
A defensive score — a pick-six or fumble return — ends the game instantly.
Game Can End in a Tie
If no team scores in the 10-minute OT period, the game ends in a tie.
This is unique to the regular season; ties cannot happen in the playoffs.
Ties don’t happen often, but they do occur a few times across the NFL calendar, often impacting playoff standings later.
NFL Playoff Overtime Rules: How They Differ
Postseason games must produce a winner, so the OT format becomes more dramatic.
Unlimited Overtime
The game continues with multiple 15-minute periods until a winner is determined. There is no time limit — the game keeps going until one team is ahead at the end of a period.
Both Teams Get a Possession
Beginning in 2022, the league updated playoff OT rules so both teams are guaranteed at least one offensive possession, no matter what happens on the opening drive.
This change was made after years of debate, especially following a memorable 2021 Bills vs. Chiefs playoff matchup in which Buffalo never touched the ball in OT.
Sudden Death After Each Team Possesses the Ball
Once both teams have had a possession, the format shifts into standard sudden death:
Next score wins.
Two-Point Conversion Rule
If a second overtime period begins, each team must attempt a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown — no extra-point kicks allowed.
No Ties Allowed
Playoff games cannot end until a winner is declared, regardless of how many OT periods it takes.
Why the NFL Changed Overtime Rules
NFL overtime has undergone several changes over past decades. The main reasons include:
Fairness
Fans and analysts long felt that sudden-death OT gave the coin toss winner too much of an advantage. Allowing both teams an opportunity in the playoffs addressed this.
Player Safety
Shorter OT periods in the regular season and stricter limits were added to reduce extended exposure to hits and injuries.
Viewer Experience
The league wants games to remain exciting and competitive. Ensuring both teams get the ball in the postseason creates drama, tension, and fairness — all things fans love.
Strategic Implications of NFL OT Rules
Overtime creates intense strategic decision-making situations:
Coaches Must Manage Clock Carefully
With only 10 minutes in the regular season, time becomes a weapon.
Play-Calling Becomes Aggressive
Teams often lean into fourth-down attempts or high-risk plays due to shortened time.
Defense Matters More Than Ever
A defensive stop can flip field position or create a game-ending turnover.
Kickers Become Key Players
A clutch field goal still decides many OT outcomes.
Examples of Memorable NFL Overtime Moments
Several legendary NFL games were shaped by OT rules:
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The 2017 Super Bowl (Patriots vs. Falcons), the first Super Bowl to reach OT.
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The 2021 AFC Divisional Round (Bills vs. Chiefs), which sparked rule changes.
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Countless rivalry games decided by walk-off field goals or defensive scores.
These moments highlight how OT can become some of the most memorable parts of a season.
OT Makes Football Even More Exciting
NFL overtime is a blend of strategy, excitement, and fairness. For U.S.-based football fans, the rules offer a deeper appreciation of the game’s complexity and drama. Whether your team is battling for a playoff spot or fighting in a high-stakes postseason matchup, understanding OT helps you enjoy every moment — from the coin toss to the game-winning score.