NFL Overtime Rules Get A Makeover

It's Official - Plans for a new overtime rule in the NFL have been discussed for years, but never has the topic been on top of the list like it has been this offseason. For months now, the NFL has been on the verge of changing its overtime rules and almost two full months after the Superbowl, some changes will finally be made. Although they'll be adjusted them, the new rules will only apply to playoff games. In a 28 to 4 vote by the NFL team owners committee, 28 teams voted in favor of the new OT rule. One of the most surprising teams that opposed the proposed overtime ruling, is none other than the Minnesota Vikings.

In this past NFC Championship game, the world witnessed Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings lose to the eventual Superbowl champs -- the New Orleans Saints. In an overtime thriller, the home team Saints won the coin toss and kicked a game winning field-goal in the same drive. A field-goal that sent the New Orleans franchise to their first ever trip to the Superbowl where they went on to upset the highly favored Indianapolis Colts. Many thought the game between the Saints and Vikings was unfair and would have liked to see if the Vikings could have responded with a trip down the field of their own. But given the rules at the time, Minnesota never got a chance. The new rule however, will prevent a similar ending like that from happening again.

(Seen in Photo: Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, who hit the game winning FG.)


The New Rules:
1. If first team with the ball scores a TD, it wins.
2. If first team with the ball makes a FG, other team will get an opportunity to tie or win.
3. If both teams make a FG, the next team to score wins.
4. Any score by opposing defense or special teams will end the game.

As I mentioned already, the rules will only apply to playoff games, BUT, that could all change in the mere future. The rules are scheduled to be discussed later and possibly passed to make them stand during regular season games as well. Another meeting is scheduled to be held come May in Dallas. As for my two cents, I think it was only a matter of time before a new overtime rule was finally put in place. Especially considering the team that won the coin toss was basically guaranteed to win the game. & Thankfully commissioner Roger Goodell didn't look into duplicating the overtime rule held in College Football. With that being said, we can all take a breather.