INDIANAPOLIS -- An NFL spokesman said Saturday the league could change its overtime format for playoff games at a meeting next month.

Under the new format, both teams would get the ball at least once unless the first team to get the ball scores a touchdown, Greg Aiello said. If the first team to get the ball makes a field goal and the other team ties the game, action would continue until a team scores again.

Under the current rules, the first team to score wins.

"There have been various concepts that have been discussed in recent years, but this one has never been proposed," Aiello said.

The competition committee will discuss the new concept with teams and players at league meetings March 21-24 in Orlando, Fla., when it could come to a vote. At least two thirds of the teams would need to agree to the changes for new rules to be adopted.

The competition committee met with the players' union and players on Thursday during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Discussion continued when the competition committee met with a general managers' advisory committee on Friday.

The debate about the rules gained steam after the NFC championship game, when New Orleans beat Minnesota 31-28 in overtime and Brett Favre's Vikings never got the ball in the extra period. Under the proposed rule, Minnesota would have gotten another possession because the Vikings didn't allow a touchdown.

Overtime was adopted for regular season games in 1974, a sudden-death format that allowed games to end in a tie if neither team scored in 15 minutes. Overtime for playoff games always has been sudden death.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4953182&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

They should either change the rules for the regular season as well or not do it at all.

I think that's a good idea because in a playoff game where two teams fought hard all game, it's a same to see one team lose because of a coin flip. But i say they may just change it all the way around.


But then again if the Eagles and Cowboys are in OT and we win the Coin Toss I don't think I would want to get another chance to score if we score first-lol

Here's an idea. Just throwing it out there: No special teams in overtime. You start from your own 20 yard line. If you score a TD, game over, otherwise you turn the ball over on 4th down whereever that happens to be. Other team would still have to score a TD. First to score wins.

Here's an idea. Just throwing it out there: No special teams in overtime. You start from your own 20 yard line. If you score a TD, game over, otherwise you turn the ball over on 4th down whereever that happens to be. Other team would still have to score a TD. First to score wins.


That sounds good too

Why the change? It will only prolong games. Not to mention it's CONFUSING! As the old saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! :mad:

I agree that if they did this that it should be done for the regular season as well.

They should eliminate the coin toss aspect out of it. Why not give the team that gains the most yards the first possession?

I don't get this article. If the 1st team scores a touchdown the game is over in OT, but if they get a field goal, the game continues? That is odd.

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, what about just picking up in OT like it was a 5th quarter, with whoever had the bill still having the ball where they had it at the end of regulation? That probably would take some excitement away from the end of games though.

I say just leave it as is, if you cant beat a team in regulation, then maybe you will lose the coinflip and lose in OT.

I don't get this article. If the 1st team scores a touchdown the game is over in OT, but if they get a field goal, the game continues? That is odd.

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, what about just picking up in OT like it was a 5th quarter, with whoever had the bill still having the ball where they had it at the end of regulation? That probably would take some excitement away from the end of games though.

I say just leave it as is, if you cant beat a team in regulation, then maybe you will lose the coinflip and lose in OT.

I see nothing with it, having to score a TD in OT makes it more challening for a team to win

They should either change the rules for the regular season as well or not do it at all.

Yes, I agree. Some regular season games are as important as playoff games when it comes to positioning teams for the postseason.

All that needs to happen is for a regular season game (between two teams fighting for one final playoff spot) to be decided by a coin flip, and fans will be clamoring for regular season games to follow the playoff OT rules. They should just make it uniform now and get it over with.

Someone also suggested a full OT period (not sudden death), but make it something less than 15 minutes. Make it maybe 8- 10 minutes, which should give both teams enough time for at least one possession, even if the team winning the coin toss scores on their first drive.

It might make OT games a little longer on average, but it's fairer to both teams.

Still, both teams do have the same 60 minutes in which to win a game in regulation. If you can't do it in that time, you have to settle for taking your chances on a coin flip... A coin toss is "fair" to both teams, but I would like to see both teams get at least a shot at a TD in OT.

Now the NFL is set to vote on whether to allow two possessions in OT!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aqln6.xkhofBIdFTUVEWLFdDubYF?slug=ap-nflovertime

Please, Roger, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Sadly, the rule change won 28-4. Among the 4 were the Minnesota Vikings, whom I thought influenced the rule!

so the rule was chamged because brett farve did't go to the SB??????????????????????/

so the rule was chamged because brett farve did't go to the SB??????????????????????/
That's what many people are saying. :ohno: