overtime rules nfl
As of the 2026 NFL season, the overtime rules guarantee that both teams have the opportunity to possess the ball.
Key Rules for Both Regular Season and Playoffs
- Guaranteed Possession: Even if the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown, the opposing team is guaranteed an opportunity to possess the ball.
- Coin Toss: A coin toss determines which team receives the ball first or which goal they will defend.
- Sudden Death: Once both teams have had an opportunity to possess the ball (or the second team has finished its initial possession), the game enters a "sudden-death" format where the next score wins.
- Timeouts: Each team is granted two timeouts for the overtime period.
Regular Season vs. Playoffs
| Feature | Regular Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| Period Length | 10 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Can it end in a tie? | Yes, if no winner is decided | No, periods continue until a winner is declared |
In the regular season, if the score remains tied after the 10-minute overtime period expires, the game is recorded as a tie. In the playoffs, if the score is still tied after a period, additional periods are played until a winner is determined.