NFL owners approve rule change for OT in playoffs

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The NFL is changing its sometimes-controversial overtime rules to guarantee each side gets the ball in the playoffs.

Concerned that the coin toss to begin the extra period has too much impact on postseason game results, the owners voted Tuesday to permanently approve a proposal presented by the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.

Beginning this season, if the team possessing the ball first in overtime scores a touchdown on that series, the opponent still gets a possession. In recent seasons, that touchdown would have ended the game.

That second possession of overtime would extend beyond the initial 15-minute period if needed. Should that team tie the score, it then would become sudden death.

Rich McKay, the Atlanta Falcons president and chairman of the competition committee, admitted Kansas City’s victory in January over Buffalo that came on the first series of OT was a factor in the balloting by owners. He said it was well beyond the required 24 votes but would not reveal the exact numbers.

“I think what the stats show is there is a clear issue we can say since the change (in rules) in 2020,” McKay added, “and the problem comes in the postseason.”

Since the previous overtime rule was instituted for the regular season in 2012, the team that wins the coin toss has won the game half of the time (76 of 152 games). However, both teams have had at least one possession in 82% of the games (124 of 152).

Those numbers changed quite a bit in the postseason. Since 2010, when that rule was instituted for the playoffs, seven of the 12 overtime games have been won on an opening possession touchdown, and 10 of 12 have been won by the team that won the coin toss.

“That data was compelling to us and to the league,” McKay said. “An amendment was added (to the original proposal by the Colts and Eagles) to not make a change in the regular season, but in the postseason, where our problem principally lies.”

The Tennessee Titans had recommended both teams possess the ball in overtime unless the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. That would end the game. But the owners, perhaps believing the Tennessee suggestion was too gimmicky, went with the other proposal.

Under previous rules, the 10-minute overtime in the regular season continued only if the team getting the ball first failed to score or kicked a field goal. Should the side receiving the kickoff make a field goal, the team that first played defense would get a possession in which it can score a touchdown and win or kick a field goal, and play would continue if time allowed.

Of course, in the postseason, when there are no ties, overtimes continue until someone has more points.

Commissioner Roger Goodell concluded the meetings by urging caution regarding the Deshaun Watson situation and the NFL’s investigation. The quarterback, who did not play for Houston last season after 22 women accused him of sexual misconduct, will not be indicted on criminal charges. Now with the Cleveland Browns after a trade, Watson still faces civil lawsuits.

“We’re going to let the facts lead us, find every fact we can,” Goodell said. “At least there is a resolution from the criminal side of it. Our investigation, hopefully, will have access to more information.”

As for a potential suspension for Watson, Goodell noted a discipline officer jointly appointed by the league and players’ union would make that determination.

Goodell said if the league discovers a violation in Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’ conduct regarding the integrity of the game, the information would be released publicly. Former Dolphins coach Brian Flores has sued the NFL and three teams (Miami, Denver and the New York Giants), claiming racist hiring practices. Flores also has accused Ross of offering him a bonus to lose games in 2019, something the owner vigorously has denied.

Earlier Tuesday, Carolina coach Matt Rhule voiced his support of a potential change — something many owners agreed with, if only for the postseason.

“You get a shot, I get a shot,” Rhule said, “and may the best team win.”

Troy Vincent, who oversees NFL football operations, echoed Rhule’s sentiment, saying football fans have expressed the same opinion.

“The fan wants to see his quarterback touch the ball, and the data drove us to that,” Vincent said.

The owners also approved an anti-tampering rule that prohibits a team seeking an assistant general manager from asking permission for an interview until after the draft. As Vincent explained, someone in personnel for one team who has been involved in draft preparation should not be available for hire by another club until the draft is over.

Once the draft has concluded — this year that is April 30 — the employing team must grant permission for such interviews.