As Super Bowl LIX approaches on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, it’s essential for fans to understand the NFL’s overtime rules, especially given recent changes that impact postseason play.
Regular Season Overtime Rules
- Duration: A single 10-minute overtime period is played.
- Coin Toss: A coin toss determines which team receives possession first; the visiting team calls the toss.
- Possession: If the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, it wins the game immediately. If it scores a field goal, the opposing team gets an opportunity to possess the ball. If the receiving team fails to score, the game proceeds in sudden death, with the first team to score winning the game.
- Timeouts: Each team is allotted two timeouts during the overtime period.
- Challenges: Coaches’ challenges are not permitted; all reviews are initiated by the replay official.
- Outcome: If neither team scores during overtime, the game ends in a tie.
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Playoff and Super Bowl Overtime Rules
- Duration: Overtime periods last 15 minutes each, continuing until a winner is determined.
- Coin Toss: Conducted similarly to the regular season, with the visiting team calling the toss.
- Possession: Both teams are guaranteed at least one possession, regardless of whether the first team scores a touchdown. If the score remains tied after each team has had the ball, play continues, and the next score wins.
- Timeouts: Each team receives three timeouts per overtime period.
- Intermissions: There is a two-minute intermission between overtime periods; no halftime intermission occurs after the second period.
- Challenges: As in the regular season, coaches’ challenges are not allowed; all reviews are initiated by the replay official.
Recent Changes to Overtime Rules in Super Bowl
In 2022, the NFL amended its postseason overtime rules to ensure both teams have an opportunity to possess the ball, even if the first team scores a touchdown on its initial possession. This change was largely influenced by the 2021 AFC Divisional Round game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, where the Chiefs won the coin toss in overtime and scored a touchdown on the opening drive, preventing the Bills from having an offensive possession.
This rule change was first applied in Super Bowl LVIII, where the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime. The game was notable for being the first Super Bowl to implement the new overtime rules, ensuring both teams had an opportunity to possess the ball in the extra period.
These adjustments aim to provide a more equitable opportunity for both teams in postseason overtime scenarios, enhancing the competitive balance and excitement of games like the Super Bowl.
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