New OT Rules in Effect for NFL Playoffs
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 6:44AM When the NFL playoffs kick off Saturday, a completely unfamiliar scenario could unfold as the new postseason overtime rules are enacted for the first time since the owners — not the coaches — approved them by a 28-4 vote last March.
A quick reminder: Instead of sudden-death overtime used in the regular season, each team will get a possession in overtime unless the receiving team takes the kickoff and scores a touchdown. Then the game is over.
If the receiving team kicks a field goal, the other team gets a possession. A field goal would put the game into sudden death. A touchdown ends the game.
A defensive score of any kind ends the game because it would count as a possession for both teams.
Another twist is if a team begins the overtime with a onside kick, recovers and scores, the game would be over. Both tems would have said to have a chance at a possession.
This new overtime format opens a whole new set of possibilities to occur. I for one, hope we get to see one of the games head to OT.
