NFL's New Overtime Rules

It finally happened. After years of complaining from the fans and the media, the NFL changed its overtime rules. Granted it's only for the playoffs right now, but that may be amended for the regular season in May.

It makes sense, the teams play for 60 minutes of relatively even football. Yet when they enter overtime, a coin toss redetermines possession of the football. Roughly half the time the team that wins the toss, wins the game. More often than not the win is determined by a field goal. On the kickoff the team will probably return the ball between their own 20 or 30 yard line. To get a winning field goal, they only need to drive the ball about 40 to 50 yards.

The first team to score wins. Not quite fair to the opposing team's offense if they never get to touch the ball. A coin toss and possibly poor defensive play prevent a team from making a legitimate matching effort.

So the new rules can be called a first to six rule. If a team kicks a field goal, the other team gets an opportunity to match or beat it. If the first team scores a touchdown the game is over. If both teams match field goals, then the next score wins. There are more technicalities such as safeties and defensive touchdowns, but those weren't really points of contention.

Yes, some are unhappy with the new rules, but the only way that may solve this issue is to play a full quarter. This likely won't happen, so this is the best alternative given.