The NFL uses different overtime rules for the regular season and the postseason (playoffs):
Regular Season:
- One 10-minute period: If the score is tied after regulation, a single 10-minute overtime period is played.
- Sudden death: The first team to score wins the game, regardless of how much time is left in the overtime period.
- Possession for each team: Each team is guaranteed at least one possession unless they score a touchdown on their opening drive.
- No two-point conversions: Two-point conversions are not allowed in overtime.
Postseason:
- Multiple 15-minute periods: If the score is tied after regulation, multiple 15-minute overtime periods are played until there is a winner.
- No sudden death: Unlike the regular season, overtime continues indefinitely until one team scores.
- Both teams get possessions: Each team gets a possession at the beginning of each overtime period, even if the previous possession ended with a score.
- Two-point conversions allowed: Teams can attempt two-point conversions after touchdowns in overtime.
Additional Notes:
- The clock only stops in overtime during timeouts, injuries, and reviews.
- Teams alternate starting possession location after each overtime period.
- There have been very few games that required multiple overtime periods in the playoffs (only 12 since the format changed in 2010).
Here are some resources for further information:
- NFL rulebook: https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/
- Explanation of overtime rules: https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-overtime-rules/
- History of overtime in the NFL: https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-overtime-rules/
I hope this clarifies how overtime works in the NFL!
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