NFL will vote on new Overtime rules in March

by Niko Houllis on Feb 28, 2010 5:49 AM EST

Barth kicked the game winning FG, but under new rules the Saints would have gotten the ball back.

The New Orleans Saints marched down the field in overtime of the NFC Championship game and scored the game winning field goal, while Brett Favre and the Vikings offense never left the bench. It would seem that may have been the final straw for some, as the league has announced they will vote on a new Sudden Death Overtime system at the owners meetings where a 2/3 vote is required for new rule changes.

NFL League spokesman Greg Aiello said the Competition Committee will discuss the new concept with teams and players at league meetings March 21-24 in Orlando, FL, when it could come to a vote.

A college type system where each team is given a shot in enemy territory is not being considered, rather a modified version of the current OT system of Sudden Death.

It would still be sudden death if the first team goes down and scores a Touchdown
If the first score is just a field goal, the other team is given a chance with one drive to match that or beat it.

If the second team does manage to go downfield and score a FG on its only drive, then the game continues with the same rules. If the team scores a Touchdown, the game is over. The current overtime system was adopted in 1974.

Opinion: If the new rules are to be adopted, it will make sense that ties will be on the rise, as many games go deep into Overtime before someone scores first. With an extra opportunity, the games should go even farther into the 15 minute OT period. No word yet on if the extra period will be extended or if a tie will still result after one OT period.

How would you change the OT system?

Source: ESPN.com -by Associated Press

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Comments

I like the College system with one change...

Because of scoring being in the tiebreakers, you cant have a game that ends 10-10 in regulation end up a 56-54 game because of the watered down OT rules.
Instead, you just count the last possesions for both teams.

Ex: 10-10 Regulation
1st OT
Bucs 3 Falcons 3 – 13-13
2nd OT
Bucs 7 Falcons 7 – 20-20
3rd OT
Bucs 8 Falcons 8 – 28-28
4th OT
Bucs 3 Falcons 0 0 31-28
Instead, only the 3 and 0 points are added, the actual difference makers.
Final score would be Tampa Bay 13 Atlanta 10.
This way all those TDs drives started at the Opponents 25 or where ever would not affect playoff implications due to any kind of Score tiebreakers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan since 1979

by Niko Houllis on Feb 28, 2010 6:08 AM EST reply actions

What the difference other than how it looks on the scoreboard?

You would still have to count the stats. You can’t have a quarterback throw 4 touchdowns in overtimes, yet say he threw 1 or 0 overall, because you aren’t counting the overtime stats.

I love the college system, love it. I would force them to go for two starting at the first OT. The only disadvantage is that really all records will be thrown out the window becaue players will have far more opps to rack up stats.

When the team that wins the coin toss wins the game 65% of the time or more, there is something wrong. Something has to change.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by MNeilson on Feb 28, 2010 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

As you acknowledge, it would skew stats.

You’d have tie breaking ramifications too. You can’t count all 4 tds in your scenario.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan since 1979

by Niko Houllis on Feb 28, 2010 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

Why not?

Records are invalidated constantly because of new rule changes. Thats part of the growth of the game.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by MNeilson on Feb 28, 2010 8:45 PM EST up reply actions

Plus, OT games happen probably 6 times a year on average (just guessing)

So its not like it would skew stats that much.

Hit Buc 'Em for all your Bucs news and DRaysBay for every piece of Rays info.

by Buc Wild on Feb 28, 2010 8:56 PM EST up reply actions

This be a reason that dasn't matter. Fantasy owners will love OT

From Yer Scurvy Dog SRQman

by SRQman on Feb 28, 2010 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

TJ Whosyourdaddy

From what I have read, they are only looking into changing the playoff games OT rules. And of course if that is true, a tie would not be possible.

I also read that TJ whosyourdaddy who was at the meeting where this idea was braught up said that he didnt think it was going to be passed.

"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
*They are typos, get over it*

by Hook85 on Feb 28, 2010 6:19 AM EST reply actions

Also

I think this little adjustment is better then what they had before, if they do change it. I prefer the college football OT, but I can see how that would be a problem in the NFL.

"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
*They are typos, get over it*

by Hook85 on Feb 28, 2010 6:21 AM EST reply actions

It also looks from my understanding that it would only be for playoff games at this point.

Probably the wrong move. Seems like it should be for regular season only first, and if it works there, then you let it encompass playoffs. Why run trial and error in the games that mean the most?

Hit Buc 'Em for all your Bucs news and DRaysBay for every piece of Rays info.

by Buc Wild on Feb 28, 2010 9:08 AM EST reply actions

You are right

It is only going to be for overtime in playoff games. Just saw a segment on NFL network.

Personally I think it should be both regular season and playoffs or no change. It’s stupid to change the rules in the playoffs, especially because if the rules they are switching to might have very well put in or left out a different team had they been in effect. For instance, in the AFC situation last year I’m sure one of those 9-7 teams lost a overtime game to a fieldgoal.

Youth movement????

by LeeCaz on Feb 28, 2010 9:57 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

True.

I think the playoffs is a bad time to test a new format. You either go all the way (like you said) or you start with regular season before you change playoffs.

Hit Buc 'Em for all your Bucs news and DRaysBay for every piece of Rays info.

by Buc Wild on Feb 28, 2010 10:06 AM EST up reply actions

I disagree.

The system is already broken. Clearly. The games that need to be fixed the most and fastest are NFL Playoff games. There is no way NO should have walked into the Super Bowl after that game.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by MNeilson on Feb 28, 2010 10:32 AM EST up reply actions