Still don’t understand the new NFL overtime rule?

There have been 8 overtime finishes in the NFL through week 7, but perhaps you still aren’t clear on the new OT rule.  It’s called modified sudden death and there are several things you need to know.

The Breakdown:

1. Each team gets one opportunity to possess the ball
2. After both teams have possessed the ball once, the first team to score wins
3. If the first team to possess the ball scores a touchdown on the opening possession the the game is over and the second team loses its opportunity to possess the ball
4. Each team gets 3 time-outs
5. There are no challenge flags in OT, all reviews are initiated by the officials

Odd-Ball Scenarios

Let’s discuss a few odd-ball scenarios whereby the kicking team on the opening drive would lose its “opportunity to possess the ball” without ever getting the chance to send its offense on the field:

1. If the kicking team recovers the ball on the opening kickoff and scores a field goal on that drive, the game is over.  The receiving team is considered to have had their opportunity to possess the ball.
2. Following a field goal on the opening possession in OT, if the kickoff is recovered by the kicking team, the game is over.  The receiving team is considered to have had their opportunity to possess the ball.
3. Three and out on the opening possession but the receiving team bobbles it and the kicking team recovers the punt.  The receiving team is considered to have had their opportunity to possess the ball and the game is now in sudden death.
4. Three and out on the opening possession and the receiving team blocks the punt. The ball advances past the line of scrimmage where the receiving team bobbles it.  The kicking team then recovers for a new set of downs and the game is now in sudden death.  The receiving team is considered to have had their opportunity to possess the ball.  Had the bobble occurred behind the line of scrimmage, this would not be the case.
5. The defense recovers a fumble on the opening drive but then fumbles the recovery.  If the offense recovers the ball the game is considered in sudden death.  The defense is considered to have had their opportunity to possess the ball.
6. If the defense causes a safety on the opening possession the game is over and the defense has won.
7. The kicking team recovers their own blocked field goal attempt on the opening drive after the defense bobbled the ball past the line of scrimmage.  The kicking team is awarded a new set of downs and the game is now in sudden death.

The new rule takes a lot of the emphasis out of the coin toss, favors teams with strong defenses and field goal units while allowing the game to resolve itself relatively quickly.  TickPick gives it two thumbs up.