New NFL Overtime Rules: What They Are, How the Game Doesn’t Change

March 24, 2010   ·   Jon Star   ·   Jump to comments

The NFL, led by its 32 owners, voted to implement a new overtime rule starting in 2010. The rule sound a bit convoluted at first, but in reality the new rule is simple to understand. The new rule states that if the receiving team successfully kicks a field goal, the other team will have a possession. If the second team to touch the ball kicks a matching field goal, the game enters a true sudden death scenario. However, the first team to score a touchdown is the winner, or the victor will be the first team to score twice by any means should the game enter sudden death . Period. Again, no matter when or how, the first team to score a touchdown wins. As of today, the new rule is only for the postseason, but NFL owners will vote on whether or not to implement the rule during the season when they meet again in May. In fact, the game is still a sudden death game. The team which possesses the ball first controls the ability to win the game without the other team touching the ball. ...

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