NFL overtime rules could be set for an overhaul at owners’ meetings
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The NFL is in a good place as owners head into their annual meetings this week.
Games are moving at a quicker pace. People are generally happy with instant replay. Onside kick recovery numbers are back up in an acceptable range. And heading into the final week of last season, 18 teams were still alive in the playoff race, tied for the second-most ever.
A problem is overtime rules, and those will be the primary focus as owners, coaches and executives convene to tinker with the game they love.
A pivotal moment came in the AFC playoffs, when Kansas City beat Buffalo, 42-36, in an epic game that came to an abrupt end in the extra period when the Chiefs scored a touchdown on their opening possession. The football world bristled that the Bills never got a chance to touch the ball.
The odds are good of those situations happening with increased frequency, seeing as six of the final seven games in the postseason were decided by three points or fewer.
In the 12 overtime playoff games since the current rule took effect in 2010, the team that won the coin toss at the beginning of the extra period won all but two of those games — seven on the opening drive.
“I do think the statistics absolutely warrant whether our overtime rules need to be further modified,” said Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, chairman of the competition committee, discussing the meetings on a recent conference call with reporters.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts have made overtime proposals this year that would allow for both sides to get a possession, regardless of whether a touchdown is scored on the opening drive.
“I do think there’s a lot of momentum to have a change,” McKay said. “I think the discussion is going to be around these two proposals.”
The Tennessee Titans have floated a more nuanced idea. Under their proposal, a team could win by scoring a touchdown on the opening possession — but only by successfully converting a two-point conversion to cap that touchdown.
For a rules change to take effect, at least 24 of the 32 teams must vote in favor of it.
“That’s usually a pretty big hill to climb the first time,” McKay said. “But let’s see what happens.”
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images North America/TNS
Had one of the truly great under-the-radar seasons in NFL history a year ago and the gold standard in terms of a passer who can also run (4,407 yards passing, 36 TDs, 763 yards rushing, six touchdowns). Solid offseason acquisitions for the Bills included guard Rodger Saffold, tight end O.J. Howard and pass rusher Von Miller.
Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images North America/TNS
Had one of the truly great under-the-radar seasons in NFL history a year ago and the gold standard in terms of a passer who can also run (4,407 yards passing, 36 TDs, 763 yards rushing, six touchdowns). Solid offseason acquisitions for the Bills included guard Rodger Saffold, tight end O.J. Howard and pass rusher Von Miller.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
David Becker
The Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster to an offense that already has Tyreek HIll and Travis Kelce. Still trying to figure out what happened to Mahomes in the second half of the AFC title game loss to the Bengals, but am going to assume it was just a bad day.
David Becker
The Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster to an offense that already has Tyreek HIll and Travis Kelce. Still trying to figure out what happened to Mahomes in the second half of the AFC title game loss to the Bengals, but am going to assume it was just a bad day.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Mark LoMoglio
Had the Bucs on the verge of a miraculous comeback in the title game against the Rams until they got Cooper Kupp-ed. One concern — Brady lost both of his starting guards, Ali Marpet to a surprise retirement and Alex Cappa to free agency.
Mark LoMoglio
Had the Bucs on the verge of a miraculous comeback in the title game against the Rams until they got Cooper Kupp-ed. One concern — Brady lost both of his starting guards, Ali Marpet to a surprise retirement and Alex Cappa to free agency.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Lynne Sladky
You'll notice the Nos. 3 and 4 quarterbacks on this list were acquired specifically with the idea of making a good team a great one by their mere presence, and both delivered Super Bowl championships. Why draft and develop when you can fill football's most important position with a trade?
Lynne Sladky
You'll notice the Nos. 3 and 4 quarterbacks on this list were acquired specifically with the idea of making a good team a great one by their mere presence, and both delivered Super Bowl championships. Why draft and develop when you can fill football's most important position with a trade?
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Adam Hunger
The Bengals signed La'el Collins and Cappa to upgrade the line that saw Burrow get sacked 51 times take a beating in the postseason. If Cincinnati gets its protection shored up, Burrow can put up much bigger numbers than last year's 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns. He's that good.
Adam Hunger
The Bengals signed La'el Collins and Cappa to upgrade the line that saw Burrow get sacked 51 times take a beating in the postseason. If Cincinnati gets its protection shored up, Burrow can put up much bigger numbers than last year's 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns. He's that good.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Jeff Bottari
Wide receiver Mike Williams was retained with a three-year contract extension, but offense wasn't the Chargers' problem. Watch how much better Herbert gets in terms of the bottom line if free agent cornerback J.C. Jackson lives up to his contract and with Khalil Mack as a bookend pass rusher to go along with Joey Bosa.
Jeff Bottari
Wide receiver Mike Williams was retained with a three-year contract extension, but offense wasn't the Chargers' problem. Watch how much better Herbert gets in terms of the bottom line if free agent cornerback J.C. Jackson lives up to his contract and with Khalil Mack as a bookend pass rusher to go along with Joey Bosa.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Jeffrey Phelps
Rodgers played poorly in the playoff loss to the 49ers and his penchant for being overly dramatic is wearing thin. He's also without Davante Adams, dealt to the Raiders. But he's won back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards and he's going to the Hall of Fame, so he can't be counted out.
Jeffrey Phelps
Rodgers played poorly in the playoff loss to the 49ers and his penchant for being overly dramatic is wearing thin. He's also without Davante Adams, dealt to the Raiders. But he's won back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards and he's going to the Hall of Fame, so he can't be counted out.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
David Zalubowski
This one could go either way. But the guess here is Wilson regains his touch with Nathaniel Hackett running the offense and makes the Broncos a viable playoff contender in the quarterback-rich AFC West.
David Zalubowski
This one could go either way. But the guess here is Wilson regains his touch with Nathaniel Hackett running the offense and makes the Broncos a viable playoff contender in the quarterback-rich AFC West.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Emilee Chinn
Helped coax his longtime Fresno State friend Adams to Las Vegas in a deal that instantly makes the Raiders potentially something special on offense. With Adams, Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, Carr's red zone issues should be a thing of the past if the Raiders can protect him.
Emilee Chinn
Helped coax his longtime Fresno State friend Adams to Las Vegas in a deal that instantly makes the Raiders potentially something special on offense. With Adams, Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, Carr's red zone issues should be a thing of the past if the Raiders can protect him.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Zach Bolinger
Yes, he could be suspended and it's more than a little distasteful so many teams were willing to overlook 22 civil suits to throw bags of money at one of the NFL's dynamic talents. But if the guy is getting $230 million guaranteed, a lot of people will overlook his indiscretions and he'll be the biggest thing in Cleveland since LeBron James.
Zach Bolinger
Yes, he could be suspended and it's more than a little distasteful so many teams were willing to overlook 22 civil suits to throw bags of money at one of the NFL's dynamic talents. But if the guy is getting $230 million guaranteed, a lot of people will overlook his indiscretions and he'll be the biggest thing in Cleveland since LeBron James.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Roger Steinman
Should be good for another 4,449 yards passing and 37 touchdowns for the Cowboys. Still perplexed by the sight of Prescott running the ball up the middle and running out the clock against the 49ers in the playoffs, but that doesn't change the fact he's among the elite of the suddenly quarterback-thin NFC.
Roger Steinman
Should be good for another 4,449 yards passing and 37 touchdowns for the Cowboys. Still perplexed by the sight of Prescott running the ball up the middle and running out the clock against the 49ers in the playoffs, but that doesn't change the fact he's among the elite of the suddenly quarterback-thin NFC.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Danny Karnik
Atlanta's whiff with Watson turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to Ryan. He joins a far superior Colts team that has a great lead back in Jonathan Taylor, solid receivers and a good defense. In terms of decision-making and stability, a huge upgrade over Carson Wentz on a team that's ready to win.
Danny Karnik
Atlanta's whiff with Watson turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to Ryan. He joins a far superior Colts team that has a great lead back in Jonathan Taylor, solid receivers and a good defense. In terms of decision-making and stability, a huge upgrade over Carson Wentz on a team that's ready to win.
NFL overtime rules could be set for an overhaul at owners’ meetings
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images North America/TNS
An NFL logo on the field before a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/TNS)
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images North America/TNS
An NFL logo on the field before a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/TNS)
