Changing the Overtime Rule

As we know today, the NFL is trying to expand the Overtime rule. The Postseason overtime rule could change. The NFL’s overtime rules are very unfair, and one cited all the time.  As the rule was put into place in 1974, in 2010 they put into play, one team would be able to get a shot to score after the other team hit a field goal with their first possession.  As recently as 2022, There was a survey taken to see if people wanted the overtime rule in the playoffs and in the regular season to change next year. There will be discussions and they have to have a vote on this new rule for overtime and regular season. This is because everyone believes that the NFL needs to immediately put this rule into play so we can see some fairness for both teams because as of right now it’s very one cited, it’s very annoying to watch an overtime and not get to see someone else get a second chance to try to tie the game. Changing the overtime rules in the NFL would basically get rid of the unfairness the league has had for years. After the Bills-Chiefs game, a bunch of players around the league think that there should be a rule where both teams get the ball in overtime. After the Bills-Chiefs game, a bunch of players around the league think that there should be a rule where both teams get the ball in overtime.In the Bills Chiefs game, the end of the game was very intense, at the end when the Chiefs won the coin toss in overtime and drove down the field and scored on their first possession. But it was weird when the Bills didn’t get another chance. Changing overtime rules in the NFL would help give both teams a fair chance to score and to make the game more interesting. Since the rule was added, it has always helped the team that won the coin toss. I believe that if there was a rule change, we would be able to see what would happen if the opposing team had an opportunity to score.In my opinion I wanted to see Josh Allen get an opportunity in Overtime because I think that it would be interesting to see what would happen if the Bills tied the game in overtime in the playoffs. It would be very interesting to see what would happen if the Chiefs didn’t win the coin toss.

Changing overtime rules in the NFL would help give both teams a fair chance to score and to make the game more interesting. After the Bills-Chiefs game, a bunch of players around the league think that there should be a rule where both teams get the ball in overtime. Players around the world think that the NFL is not being fair with the rules in overtime in the playoffs and in the regular season. For example, In the AFC Divisional Round, the Chiefs won the game in overtime without letting the Bills offense touch the ball. It was not fair at all. Another example would be in 2019, in the AFC Championship, The Chiefs were playing the Patriots and in Overtime, Tom Brady and the Patriots had the ball the entire time and Mahomes didn’t have a chance to get the ball. Although the Chiefs couldn’t get a stop on defense. I would’ve wanted to see Mahomes get the ball and see if he could tie it. The NFL fan base reacted to the Chiefs vs Bills game, and they weren’t happy at all. They weren’t happy with the result because they wanted to see the Bills get another opportunity in that close game. It’s been a couple of decades since the NFL last changed it’s overtime rule. But that was also done in response to a controversial playoff finish. Teams have been asked for input as to overtime, via the annual surveys circulated as to potential revisions to the rules. There will be meetings and discussions and eventually a potential vote from the owners.

As always, it takes 24 to make a change.  if they kick and convert a single point-after the Bills get a chance to match. If Buffalo scores, they have a decision to make. Go for two and the win or kick off again with the next score by either team winning the game. So, if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown, the team that kicked off to start overtime gets a chance to match. After that, the game converts to sudden death. if the team with possession to start overtime scores a touchdown on its first drive, the game is over. The other team does not get a chance to answer.  The Chiefs won the toss and immediately scored, preventing Josh Allen and the Bills from having a chance to respond. This is far from the first disappointing postseason overtime ending for a team. In Super Bowl 51, the Patriots scored a touchdown on the first drive of overtime to walk off the Falcons and win the title without Atlanta getting the ball. The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs’ play-off game caught the attention of many and has sparked a conversation about the NFL overtime rules. This highly anticipated playoff game featured three lead changes, one tie, and 25 points– of which were scored in the last two minutes of regulation.  Kansas City won the coin toss and received the ball. Once the coin flipped, the Bills never had a chance to take the field. The quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, connected with Travis Kelce, tight end, for the game-winning 8-yard touchdown pass. 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. In that case, it means that both teams have an opportunity to come back.

Florio, P. by M. (2022, February 13). Postseason overtime rules could change, guaranteeing one possession for each team. ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/13/postseason-overtime-rules-could-change-guaranteeing-one-possession-for-each-team/?partner=MSN

NFL world reacts to overtime rules preventing Josh Allen, bills from responding vs. chiefs. MSN. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2022, from https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-world-reacts-to-overtime-rules-preventing-josh-allen-bills-from-responding-vs-chiefs/ar-AAT4Gqw

Firle, B. M. (2022, February 7). Opinion: Should the NFL change overtime rules? The Hilltop. Retrieved February 20, 2022, from https://thehilltoponline.com/2022/02/07/opinion-piece-should-the-nfl-change-overtime-rules/