NFL overtime rule change PASSED. (1 Viewer)

[dgreen]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

Marty Mornhinweg, welcome back to the NFL. You may now dominate the rest of the league with your forward-thinking strategy.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I think they should just play a whole second game. You know........just to be fair.

 

[ang12]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

I would want to receive no matter what.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Prediction for the first big stink that will arise out of this.

In overtime, Team A kicks a field goal.

Team B receives a kick off. In their ensuing possession, a player fumbles. Defense recovers it and tries to run it back because the player isn't well coached, and then fumbles it back to the offense.

Game is, I assume, over because Team B didn't score in their possession? Even though they ended the play with the ball, it became a new possession when they recovered the ball? Lack of clarity leads to uproar and rioting, cats and dogs sleeping together. End of civilization as we know it.

Better scenario: Team A kicks field goal....Team B fumbles kickoff.......Team A then fumbles ball back to Team B.........and Team B subsequently scores a touchdown.Does Team B win? Technically, it scored a TD on the kickoff. Or was the ball dead the moment Team A recovered the first fumble?

If the ball isn't dead when Team A recovered it, then wouldn't he just kneel and game over?

Is the ball declared dead the moment Team A recovers a fumble? That's what I'd like to know.

 

[loose circuits]

Prediction for the first big stink that will arise out of this.

In overtime, Team A kicks a field goal.

Team B receives a kick off. In their ensuing possession, a player fumbles. Defense recovers it and tries to run it back because the player isn't well coached, and then fumbles it back to the offense.

Game is, I assume, over because Team B didn't score in their possession? Even though they ended the play with the ball, it became a new possession when they recovered the ball? Lack of clarity leads to uproar and rioting, cats and dogs sleeping together. End of civilization as we know it.

Better scenario: Team A kicks field goal....Team B fumbles kickoff.......Team A then fumbles ball back to Team B.........and Team B subsequently scores a touchdown.Does Team B win? Technically, it scored a TD on the kickoff. Or was the ball dead the moment Team A recovered the first fumble?

If the ball isn't dead when Team A recovered it, then wouldn't he just kneel and game over?

Is the ball declared dead the moment Team A recovers a fumble? That's what I'd like to know.

I'm saying it doesn't make a difference because the player should just kneel down regardless

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I don't like different rules for playoffs as opposed to the regular season. Aside from not having a tie it should be the same game, so it should be adopted for the regular season.

I think it just makes things more confusing without making it much better. I was happy with the old system.

 

[road warrior]

Prediction for the first big stink that will arise out of this.

In overtime, Team A kicks a field goal.

Team B receives a kick off. In their ensuing possession, a player fumbles. Defense recovers it and tries to run it back because the player isn't well coached, and then fumbles it back to the offense.

Game is, I assume, over because Team B didn't score in their possession? Even though they ended the play with the ball, it became a new possession when they recovered the ball? Lack of clarity leads to uproar and rioting, cats and dogs sleeping together. End of civilization as we know it.

Better scenario: Team A kicks field goal....Team B fumbles kickoff.......Team A then fumbles ball back to Team B.........and Team B subsequently scores a touchdown.Does Team B win? Technically, it scored a TD on the kickoff. Or was the ball dead the moment Team A recovered the first fumble?

If the ball isn't dead when Team A recovered it, then wouldn't he just kneel and game over?

Is the ball declared dead the moment Team A recovers a fumble? That's what I'd like to know.

While I haven't seen anything in print, I would guess the game would be over since Team B had a possession and fumbled it. Kinda like winning by scoring a safety by Team B.... both teams would have touched the ball.

 

[identikit]

I don't like different rules for playoffs as opposed to the regular season. Aside from not having a tie it should be the same game, so it should be adopted for the regular season.

I think it just makes things more confusing without making it much better. I was happy with the old system.

I believe it will be voted in for the regular season as well.

Only way to be consistent IMO.

 

[Sam Quentin]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

Which rewards bad defensive play with an extra down for your offensethis sucks

 

[RUSF18]

I hope they next figure out a way to eliminate home field advantage during overtime. That sure as hell doesn't make everything "fair".

 

[Sam Quentin]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

Which rewards bad defensive play with an extra down for your offensethis sucks

I think kicking off may be the way to go. All you have to do is keep them out of the end zone. How many NFL drives result in TD's. 20%?If you give up a FG, Having the ball, 4 downs and lots of clock, it would be hard to stop you...

 

[road warrior]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

Which rewards bad defensive play with an extra down for your offensethis sucks

I think kicking off may be the way to go. All you have to do is keep them out of the end zone. How many NFL drives result in TD's. 20%?If you give up a FG, Having the ball, 4 downs and lots of clock, it would be hard to stop you...

That's the way I'm looking at it. Give Peyton Manning that opportunity... ugh.

 

[David Yudkin]

What if the first score is a safety? Does the team that scored the 2 points win or do they have to score again?

The intent of the new rule is to try to prevent one team from winning by kicking a FG and not allowing the other team the chance to get the ball. For some reason, they determined that if a team allows a TD then they lose their right to get a possession.If the defense scored a safety, then there would be no need for that team to get their possession. So I would think the game would be over.

The intent of the new rule is to make the NFL more money. More money.The NFL does not make more money when Tom Brady and/or Peyton Manning sit on the sideline watching their tired defenses get shredded and potentially NEVER see the field in OT. It's not OT happens without commercial interruptions. Now Brady and Manning and other offensive stars will get at least ONE chance to touch the ball and do something with it. The NFL had plenty of chances before to make the game "safer" and to do something for veteran players who wereIf they were all about making more money, struggling financially, they only started to care when it became clear that there could be legal liability associated with "doing nothing" or "doing nothing else" The NFL doesn't care if players get hurt or crippled for the long term as long as the game is exciting and people want to watch and people watch commercials inbetween plays and they DON'T GET SUED. They didn't care about the blown out knees of the Redskins Hogs did they? Al Toons head? That Chris Chandler got hit so hard he didn't remember how to get home from the stadium. Now they are studying concussions, thinking about new helmets and considering how to protect "defenseless players" Like these were issues that coaches and players weren't bringing up before? It's the same reason QBs are so heavily protected, looked at how the dynamics of an entire NFL season, including game matchups, including prime time ones, when it was Cassel under center instead of Tom Brady? It's the same reason why the US military invests so much training and survival equipment for it's pilots compared to it's grunts ( it costs far far more to train a pilot than a grunt) The intent of the rule is to make the NFL and it's owners more money. It doesn't look good and people don't want to watch Peyton Manning walk off the field in OT without ever touching the ball, even the potential of that. If there is a byproduct of competitive balance or fairness for the sport or more interesting games or increased competition, then that's a bonus.

So then why have a stipulation that the team with the ball wins by scoring a TD on the only possession of OT? Why not just have a 15 minute non sudden death overtime period, you know, to max out the commercials and make more money.

 

[SSOG]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

Marty Mornhinweg, welcome back to the NFL. You may now dominate the rest of the league with your forward-thinking strategy.

Only three coaches in NFL history have won the toss in overtime and elected to kick. One was Marty Mornhinweg. The other two were Mike Shanahan and Hank Stram. Personally, I'm willing to give the latter two guys the benefit of the doubt and say that, sometimes, maybe kicking off is the right decision.Anyway, as for overtime... personally, I'd love it if games that were tied at the end of regulation simply ended in ties. I think it provides a lot more information on a team. If two teams went 10-6, but one of them was 4-0 in overtime and the other was 0-0 in overtime, then it's silly to say that the teams are just as good. The 4-0 team was tied or trailing at the end of regulation 10 times during the season, while the 10-6 team only was 6 times... but their records look identical. It's probably a better measure of those teams' true performance if we label them as 10-6-0 and 6-6-4, instead. I don't get what most people have against ties, to be honest.Other than that, I really don't get how the obvious answer here isn't "play continues from where it left off at the end of the 4th quarter". If the kickoff at the beginning of OT is unfair, then remove the kickoff. Whoever had the ball at the end of the 4th keeps the ball. First team to score, wins. Keeps the brevity of the current OT system (actually, the average OT would probably be SHORTER with this rule), but doesn't leave anybody whining about how "unfair" it all is.

 

[TommyGilmore]

Prediction for the first big stink that will arise out of this.

In overtime, Team A kicks a field goal.

Team B receives a kick off. In their ensuing possession, a player fumbles. Defense recovers it and tries to run it back because the player isn't well coached, and then fumbles it back to the offense.

Game is, I assume, over because Team B didn't score in their possession? Even though they ended the play with the ball, it became a new possession when they recovered the ball? Lack of clarity leads to uproar and rioting, cats and dogs sleeping together. End of civilization as we know it.

Better scenario: Team A kicks field goal....Team B fumbles kickoff.......Team A then fumbles ball back to Team B.........and Team B subsequently scores a touchdown.Does Team B win? Technically, it scored a TD on the kickoff. Or was the ball dead the moment Team A recovered the first fumble?

If the ball isn't dead when Team A recovered it, then wouldn't he just kneel and game over?

Is the ball declared dead the moment Team A recovers a fumble? That's what I'd like to know.

I'm saying it doesn't make a difference because the player should just kneel down regardless

Of course it makes a difference if the player from Team A is Leon Lett.

 

[TommyGilmore]

What if the first score is a safety? Does the team that scored the 2 points win or do they have to score again?

If you score a safety, the other team already had a possession.

I haven't seen the official NFL verbiage, but the ESPN article says "Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period".If Team B scores a safety on the opening drive, then technically both teams did NOT have the opportunity to possess the ball.So, if the rule does indeed state that both teams MUST have the opportunity to possess the ball.....then Team A should kick after the safety.

 

[GregR_2]

Only three coaches in NFL history have won the toss in overtime and elected to kick. One was Marty Mornhinweg. The other two were Mike Shanahan and Hank Stram. Personally, I'm willing to give the latter two guys the benefit of the doubt and say that, sometimes, maybe kicking off is the right decision....

It's happened 10 times and has been done by Tom Landry, Hank Stram, Mike Ditka, Jerry Glanville, Bill Parcells, Dan Reeves, Ray Perkins, Mike Shanahan, Wade Phillips, and Marty Mornhinweg. Collectively the teams kicking the ball away have a 5-5 record.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I don't like different rules for playoffs as opposed to the regular season. Aside from not having a tie it should be the same game, so it should be adopted for the regular season.

I think it just makes things more confusing without making it much better. I was happy with the old system.

I believe it will be voted in for the regular season as well.

Only way to be consistent IMO.

I know that's likely, but I don't like the possibility that you could have one without the other. They should have voted both at once. But I think they'll approve it for the regular season.

 

[snogger]

Can't find a link showing the post-season rule has been officially passed.

For the playoffs only, if the team that gets the ball first scores a FG, the other team will get a chance to get the ball. But if the team that gets the ball first scores a TD, the game would be over.

:( LAME ! its like they knew something had to be done but wouldnt dare follow the collegiate format, which seems to end all questions of fairness. Im not sure if this is even better than leaving it as is other than entertainment value.

HATE the college OT rules.. Like this one.. Would have been :X if it was "Both teams get one possession" regardless how or if the first team scores.

 

[Zigg]

What if the first score is a safety? Does the team that scored the 2 points win or do they have to score again?

If you score a safety, the other team already had a possession.

I haven't seen the official NFL verbiage, but the ESPN article says "Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period".If Team B scores a safety on the opening drive, then technically both teams did NOT have the opportunity to possess the ball.

So, if the rule does indeed state that both teams MUST have the opportunity to possess the ball.....then Team A should kick after the safety.

I thought a TD on the initial possession ended the game.

 

[GregR_2]

What if the first score is a safety? Does the team that scored the 2 points win or do they have to score again?

If you score a safety, the other team already had a possession.

I haven't seen the official NFL verbiage, but the ESPN article says "Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period".If Team B scores a safety on the opening drive, then technically both teams did NOT have the opportunity to possess the ball.

So, if the rule does indeed state that both teams MUST have the opportunity to possess the ball.....then Team A should kick after the safety.

I thought a TD on the initial possession ended the game.

It does. In quoting the ESPN article he truncated the sentence and removed that part. "Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner. "

 

[ratbast]

Like someone said, the coin flip winner might kickoff more often. Defensively, if team A stops team B from kicking a FG, it will only take a FG to win it. If team B is known for it's red-zone defense the move would make sense.

 

[craxie]

Is the ball declared dead the moment Team A recovers a fumble? That's what I'd like to know.

I'm saying it doesn't make a difference because the player should just kneel down regardless

What a player should do and what a player will do often has very little relation.What if the player doesn't kneel down and gets stripped? The rules have to cover that.Either the play is dead as soon as the opposing team recovers or else they are given an opportunity to re-strip, recover and continue their drive.If the game is allowed to continue though, it could lead to some very weird situations.For instance Team A kicks a FG to start OT, Team B is driving and turns it over, but the Team A player goes the wrong way and runs out the end of his own end zone, giving 2 points to Team B. Team B just 'scored' but lost because of the sudden death provision?

 

[craxie]

actually a more interesting example might be:

Team A scores FG

Team B advances ball to near the goal-line for a TD

Team B fumbles the ball, Team A defender kicks the ball into the endzone, another Team A defender falls on the ball in the endzone

This results in 2 points for Team B and a win for team A?

So it becomes possible to lose the game by scoring points?

edit: fixed

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

From the ESPN article:

New postseason overtime rules• Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner.• If the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. If [that team] scores a touchdown on its possession, it is the winner. If the score is tied after [both teams have a] possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner.• If the score is tied at the end of a 15-minute overtime period, or if [the overtime period's] initial possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue until a score is made, regardless of how many 15-minute periods are necessary.

I hope that's not the actual language. It's pretty sloppy.What's an "opportunity" to possess the ball? If I kick off to you, I have the opportunity to possess the ball: all I have to do is recover an onside kick. Barring that, I can create a turnover. Both teams have an opportunity to recover a kickoff; so if the NFL is going to say that my onside kick gave your team the opportunity to possess the ball, it should also say that my kickoff (whether onside or not, that's up to me) gave my team the opportunity to possess the ball.It's pretty sloppy about safeties as well. (Does a safety on the first possession win the game? If both teams are supposed to get a possession, after Team B gives up a safety it should get the chance to score a safety of its own.)(Also, it looks like you can win the game with a field goal on your first possession, as long as your drive takes at least 15 minutes. I know that's not very common, but it still seems a little weird.)

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Other than that, I really don't get how the obvious answer here isn't "play continues from where it left off at the end of the 4th quarter". If the kickoff at the beginning of OT is unfair, then remove the kickoff. Whoever had the ball at the end of the 4th keeps the ball. First team to score, wins. Keeps the brevity of the current OT system (actually, the average OT would probably be SHORTER with this rule), but doesn't leave anybody whining about how "unfair" it all is.

Out of all the proposals I've seen, this is the one that irritates me the most. Why the fourth quarter instead of the second quarter? Both of them presented an end to a half. Each half is self-contained. Why should the order of the halves matter? Who had the ball where at the end of the first half should count just as much as who had the ball where at the end of the second half.

 

[David Yudkin]

actually a more interesting example might be:Team A scores FGTeam B advances ball to near the goal-line for a TDTeam B fumbles the ball, Team A defender kicks the ball into the endzone, another Team A defender falls on the ball in the endzoneThis results in 2 points for Team A and a win for team B?So it becomes possible to lose the game by scoring points?

This makes no sense to me.Team A kicks a FG = Team A 3, Team B 0Team B fumbles near the end zone = Team A 3, Team B 0Team A falls on ball in end zone = Either a touchback (Game ends Team A 3, Team B 0) or it's a safety (Game ends Team A 3, Team B 2)How does Team B win in any of this?

 

[craxie]

actually a more interesting example might be:Team A scores FGTeam B advances ball to near the goal-line for a TDTeam B fumbles the ball, Team A defender kicks the ball into the endzone, another Team A defender falls on the ball in the endzoneThis results in 2 points for Team A and a win for team B?So it becomes possible to lose the game by scoring points?

This makes no sense to me.Team A kicks a FG = Team A 3, Team B 0Team B fumbles near the end zone = Team A 3, Team B 0Team A falls on ball in end zone = Either a touchback (Game ends Team A 3, Team B 0) or it's a safety (Game ends Team A 3, Team B 2)How does Team B win in any of this?

Sorry, that one line should read "This results in 2 points for Team B and a win for team A?"So team B loses by scoring points.Doesn't seem like you should be penalized for scoring

 

[Raider Nation]

New postseason overtime rules

• If the score is tied at the end of a 15-minute overtime period, or if [the overtime period's] initial possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue until a score is made, regardless of how many 15-minute periods are necessary.

Also, it looks like you can win the game with a field goal on your first possession, as long as your drive takes at least 15 minutes. I know that's not very common, but it still seems a little weird.

Negative. Read the part I bolded. If I'm reading that correctly, both teams will ALWAYS get a chance at the ball.And when is the last time anyone saw a 15-minute drive?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

New postseason overtime rules

• If the score is tied at the end of a 15-minute overtime period, or if [the overtime period's] initial possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue until a score is made, regardless of how many 15-minute periods are necessary.

Also, it looks like you can win the game with a field goal on your first possession, as long as your drive takes at least 15 minutes. I know that's not very common, but it still seems a little weird.

Negative. Read the part I bolded. If I'm reading that correctly, both teams will ALWAYS get a chance at the ball.And when is the last time anyone saw a 15-minute drive?

If the initial possession takes more than 15 minutes, a second overtime period will begin and play will continue until a score is made. So if you score a field goal on your first possession, five seconds into the second overtime period, game over. The other team doesn't get a possession.Maybe that's not what the rules mean. But it seems to me that's what they say.

 

[Raider Nation]

New postseason overtime rules

If the score is tied at the end of a 15-minute overtime period, or if [the overtime period's] initial possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue until a score is made, regardless of how many 15-minute periods are necessary.

Also, it looks like you can win the game with a field goal on your first possession, as long as your drive takes at least 15 minutes. I know that's not very common, but it still seems a little weird.

Negative. Read the part I bolded. If I'm reading that correctly, both teams will ALWAYS get a chance at the ball.And when is the last time anyone saw a 15-minute drive?

If the initial possession takes more than 15 minutes, a second overtime period will begin and play will continue until a score is made. So if you score a field goal on your first possession, five seconds into the second overtime period, game over. The other team doesn't get a possession.Maybe that's not what the rules mean. But it seems to me that's what they say.

The guys on WEEI in Boston were discussing this with Vic Carucci today. Unless I heard him incorrectly, the clock can not prohibit both teams from having a possession, barring a TD on the initial drive of course. My money is on the snippet above being poorly worded.

 

[Godsbrother]

Can't find a link showing the post-season rule has been officially passed.

For the playoffs only, if the team that gets the ball first scores a FG, the other team will get a chance to get the ball. But if the team that gets the ball first scores a TD, the game would be over.

LAME ! its like they knew something had to be done but wouldnt dare follow the collegiate format, which seems to end all questions of fairness. Im not sure if this is even better than leaving it as is other than entertainment value.

And thank God they didn't!. I think the college OT rules are an abomination.

 

[Tanner9919]

One of the main Saints forums is calling this the "Favre Rule", considering it a make-up-call to the Vikings for not getting to the Super Bowl.Ironically, the Vikings were one of four teams to vote against the OT change.

the Favre Rule I like it!But, the Vikings have more to worry about than OT, like NOT allowing 12 men in a huddle with less than 2mins to go in a championship game.or calling a bootleg right with a QB on a gimpy leg on the very next play.. inept coaching, 101..

 

[Liquid Tension]

They don't address if the kicking off team tries an onside kick? My assumption is the same rule would prevail where the recovering team needs a TD to win and a FG would give the other team a shot. But what is the team that recovered the onside kick scored a FG and then decides to do another onside kick and recovers. Do they need a FG to win? Could they win with 2 FG's?

No. Receiving team had opportunity to possess; FG would win game. From Mort's twitter: "Opportunity to possess, good example is team loses coin toss but recovers an onside kick. Then kicks FG. Game over. Receiving team blew it."

That is surprising and I would expect on side kicks would be used at a higher rate. I would expect more teams to kick off then receive also

 

[Liquid Tension]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

I would want to receive no matter what.

No way, I would much rather know what I needed and use an additional down to get it done. the reason there are so many comebacks is because you get an extra down. If you can't stop the other team from a TD then you don't deserve to win anyway.This all being said, I still think a coin flip before the game was the best option.

 

[Liquid Tension]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

Marty Mornhinweg, welcome back to the NFL. You may now dominate the rest of the league with your forward-thinking strategy.

Only three coaches in NFL history have won the toss in overtime and elected to kick. One was Marty Mornhinweg. The other two were Mike Shanahan and Hank Stram. Personally, I'm willing to give the latter two guys the benefit of the doubt and say that, sometimes, maybe kicking off is the right decision.Anyway, as for overtime... personally, I'd love it if games that were tied at the end of regulation simply ended in ties. I think it provides a lot more information on a team. If two teams went 10-6, but one of them was 4-0 in overtime and the other was 0-0 in overtime, then it's silly to say that the teams are just as good. The 4-0 team was tied or trailing at the end of regulation 10 times during the season, while the 10-6 team only was 6 times... but their records look identical. It's probably a better measure of those teams' true performance if we label them as 10-6-0 and 6-6-4, instead. I don't get what most people have against ties, to be honest.Other than that, I really don't get how the obvious answer here isn't "play continues from where it left off at the end of the 4th quarter". If the kickoff at the beginning of OT is unfair, then remove the kickoff. Whoever had the ball at the end of the 4th keeps the ball. First team to score, wins. Keeps the brevity of the current OT system (actually, the average OT would probably be SHORTER with this rule), but doesn't leave anybody whining about how "unfair" it all is.

If my memory is correct, Marty M got unfairly criticized by people who didn't know what they were talking about. Again if memory serves, EVERY score was going in one direction because of heavy winds and Marty took the wind, but his defense still screwed up. Please correct me if I am wrong, but if not his decision was the right one, it just didn't work out

 

[dgreen]

My main gripe about it is if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B will have the advantage of going for it on 4th down throughout their possession to try and score either a FG or TD (to win it).

Which may make a team want to kick off after winning the coinflip.

Marty Mornhinweg, welcome back to the NFL. You may now dominate the rest of the league with your forward-thinking strategy.

Only three coaches in NFL history have won the toss in overtime and elected to kick. One was Marty Mornhinweg. The other two were Mike Shanahan and Hank Stram. Personally, I'm willing to give the latter two guys the benefit of the doubt and say that, sometimes, maybe kicking off is the right decision.Anyway, as for overtime... personally, I'd love it if games that were tied at the end of regulation simply ended in ties. I think it provides a lot more information on a team. If two teams went 10-6, but one of them was 4-0 in overtime and the other was 0-0 in overtime, then it's silly to say that the teams are just as good. The 4-0 team was tied or trailing at the end of regulation 10 times during the season, while the 10-6 team only was 6 times... but their records look identical. It's probably a better measure of those teams' true performance if we label them as 10-6-0 and 6-6-4, instead. I don't get what most people have against ties, to be honest.Other than that, I really don't get how the obvious answer here isn't "play continues from where it left off at the end of the 4th quarter". If the kickoff at the beginning of OT is unfair, then remove the kickoff. Whoever had the ball at the end of the 4th keeps the ball. First team to score, wins. Keeps the brevity of the current OT system (actually, the average OT would probably be SHORTER with this rule), but doesn't leave anybody whining about how "unfair" it all is.

If my memory is correct, Marty M got unfairly criticized by people who didn't know what they were talking about. Again if memory serves, EVERY score was going in one direction because of heavy winds and Marty took the wind, but his defense still screwed up. Please correct me if I am wrong, but if not his decision was the right one, it just didn't work out

Sigh. It doesn't matter what happened or didn't happen. It's simply an opportunity to make fun of someone.Thanks to all the Buzz Killingtons in here.

 

[zed2283]

The competition committee said that they didn't want to guarantee both teams one possession because it might affect gameplay at the end of regulation. Being able to win in OT on a TD keeps an element of sudden death. I'm assuming this is also why they wouldn't want to just pick up where the 4th quarter left off.

 

[Chase Stuart]

They don't address if the kicking off team tries an onside kick? My assumption is the same rule would prevail where the recovering team needs a TD to win and a FG would give the other team a shot. But what is the team that recovered the onside kick scored a FG and then decides to do another onside kick and recovers. Do they need a FG to win? Could they win with 2 FG's?

No. Receiving team had opportunity to possess; FG would win game. From Mort's twitter: "Opportunity to possess, good example is team loses coin toss but recovers an onside kick. Then kicks FG. Game over. Receiving team blew it."

That is surprising and I would expect on side kicks would be used at a higher rate. I would expect more teams to kick off then receive also

No way any intelligent team chooses to kick rather than receive absent extraordinary circumstances (such as weather). And expect an unintelligent coach to get skewered by the media/twitterverse if he kicks off and his team loses. By kicking off first, you:1) can lose without ever touching the ball;2) play a game of sudden death where you voluntarily give your opponent the ball firstThe kicking team can only win via:1) stopping the team and scoring on their own (this is the same as under the old rule, and no one thought to kick off under the old rule)2) stopping the other team from scoring a TD, and then yourself scoring a FG, and then you have to stop the other team and score on your own (same as under old rule)3) stopping the other team from scoring a TD and then yourself scoring a TD -- possible, but odds are against it. Especially when you consider most teams will get very conservative down 3 at the opponent's 25 yard line in OTIt's still much better to receive than to kick; but it's not as imbalanced as it used to be.

 

[renesauz]

Can't find a link showing the post-season rule has been officially passed.

For the playoffs only, if the team that gets the ball first scores a FG, the other team will get a chance to get the ball. But if the team that gets the ball first scores a TD, the game would be over.

LAME ! its like they knew something had to be done but wouldnt dare follow the collegiate format, which seems to end all questions of fairness. Im not sure if this is even better than leaving it as is other than entertainment value.

Why would any fantasy football fan want the college format?

 

[rick6668]

Anyone see the actual rule wording? It will be interesting to see how possessions are defined.

 

[mozzy84]

I do like the idea of just playing another 10 minute quarter better. (not sudden death) But this is better than what they had.

 

[TommyGilmore]

They don't address if the kicking off team tries an onside kick? My assumption is the same rule would prevail where the recovering team needs a TD to win and a FG would give the other team a shot. But what is the team that recovered the onside kick scored a FG and then decides to do another onside kick and recovers. Do they need a FG to win? Could they win with 2 FG's?

No. Receiving team had opportunity to possess; FG would win game. From Mort's twitter: "Opportunity to possess, good example is team loses coin toss but recovers an onside kick. Then kicks FG. Game over. Receiving team blew it."

That is surprising and I would expect on side kicks would be used at a higher rate. I would expect more teams to kick off then receive also

No way any intelligent team chooses to kick rather than receive absent extraordinary circumstances (such as weather). And expect an unintelligent coach to get skewered by the media/twitterverse if he kicks off and his team loses. By kicking off first, you:

1) can lose without ever touching the ball;

2) play a game of sudden death where you voluntarily give your opponent the ball first

The kicking team can only win via:

1) stopping the team and scoring on their own (this is the same as under the old rule, and no one thought to kick off under the old rule)

2) stopping the other team from scoring a TD, and then yourself scoring a FG, and then you have to stop the other team and score on your own (same as under old rule)

Huh?

 

[Don Quixote]

Anyone see the actual rule wording? It will be interesting to see how possessions are defined.

I found this (4(g) has the opportunity to possess language):

Amend Rule 16, Section 1, Articles 1 and 3-7 (Sudden-Death Procedures, pg. 111) to read (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):

Article 1 The sudden-death system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of the regulation playing time of all preseason and regular season NFL games. Under this system, the team scoring first during overtime play herein provided for, shall be the winner of the game, and the game is automatically ended upon any score (including a safety) or when a score is awarded by the Referee for a palpably unfair act.

Article 2 At the end of regulation playing time, the Referee shall immediately toss a coin at the center of the field, in accordance with rules pertaining to a usual pregame toss (4-2-2). The visiting team captain is to again call the toss.

Article 3 Following a three-minute an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, play shall continue by 15-minute periods with a two-minute intermission between each such overtime period with no halftime intermission. At the beginning of the third overtime period, the captain who lost the coin toss prior to the first overtime period shall have the first choice of the three privileges in Rule 4, Section 2, Article 2, unless the team that won the coin toss deferred. there shall be a maximum of one 15-minute period. If neither team has scored, the game shall result in a tie. Each team shall be entitled to two timeouts, and if there is an excess timeout, the usual rules shall apply (4-5). The general provisions for the fourth quarter of a game shall apply, except all replay reviews will be initiated by the replay assistant. Coaches’ challenges will not be allowed.

Exception: Preseason and regular season league games shall have a maximum of one fifteen (15) minute period with the rule for 2 time outs instead of 3 as in a regular game and include the general provisions for the fourth quarter of a regular game. All replay reviews will be initiated by the replay assistant. Coaches challenges will not be allowed.

At the end of each extra 15-minute period, starting with the end of the first one, teams must change goals in accordance with rule 4-2-3. Disqualified player(s) may not re-enter during overtime period(s).

Article 4 During any intermission or team time out a player may leave the field. For postseason games, following a coin flip (Article 2 above) and an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, the following shall apply:

(a) Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff (Team B) scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner.

(b) If the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team (Team A) shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. If Team A scores a touchdown on its possession, it is the winner. If the score is tied after Team A’s possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner.

© If the score is tied at the end of a 15-minute overtime period, or if Team B’s initial possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue until a score is made, regardless of how many 15-minute periods are necessary.

(d) Between each overtime period, there shall be a two-minute intermission, but there shall be no halftime intermission after the second period. At the beginning of the third overtime period, the captain who lost the coin toss prior to the first overtime period shall have the first choice of the two privileges in Rule 4, Section 2, Article 2, unless the team that won the coin toss deferred.

(e) At the end of the first and third extra periods, etc., teams must change goals in accordance with Rule 4, Section 2, Article 3.

(f) A player is in possession when he is in firm grip and control of the ball inbounds (3-2-7). The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball.

(g) The opportunity to possess applies only during kicking plays. A kickoff is the opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.

(h) Each team is entitled to three timeouts during a half. If there is an excess timeout, the usual rules shall apply (4-5).

(i) At the end of a second overtime period, timing rules shall apply as at the end of the first half. At the end of a fourth overtime period, timing rules shall apply as at the end of the fourth quarter.

(j) All replay reviews will be initiated by the replay assistant. Coaches’ challenges will not be allowed.

Article 5 If there is an excess time out during the first and second, third and fourth, etc., extra periods, the usual rules shall apply (4-5). Disqualified player(s) shall not re-enter during any extra period or periods in the preseason, regular season, and postseason.

Article 6 Near the end of any period or during the last two (2) minutes of the second, fourth, etc., extra periods, the usual rules in regard to attempts to conserve time shall apply (4-7-1 and 5-2-1).

The rules for time outs shall be the same as in a regular game, including the last two (2) minutes of the second and fourth quarters.

Article 7 The clock operator shall time all extra fifteen (15) minute periods (4-3-1). The Back Judge shall time the three (3) and two (2) minute intermissions, and is to sound his whistle 30 seconds before the expiration of each intermission. The Referee shall sound his whistle for play to start, immediately upon the Back Judge’s signal.

Article 86 Except as specifically provided for above, all other general and specific rules shall apply during any extra period or periods in the preseason, regular season, and postseason.

Submitted by Competition Committee

Effect: Creates a modified system of sudden-death overtime. A field goal by the team that possesses the ball first in overtime will not end the game.

Reason: Moving spot of kickoff and increased accuracy of kickers has created an unanticipated advantage.

http://www.macsfootballblog.com/2010/03/nf...th-ot-rule.html

 

[rick6668]

Anyone see the actual rule wording? It will be interesting to see how possessions are defined.

I found this (4(g) has the opportunity to possess language):

Amend Rule 16, Section 1, Articles 1 and 3-7 (Sudden-Death Procedures, pg. 111) to read (new language underlined, deleted language struck through):

Article 1 The sudden-death system of determining the winner shall prevail when the score is tied at the end of the regulation playing time of all preseason and regular season NFL games. Under this system, the team scoring first during overtime play herein provided for, shall be the winner of the game, and the game is automatically ended upon any score (including a safety) or when a score is awarded by the Referee for a palpably unfair act.

Article 2 At the end of regulation playing time, the Referee shall immediately toss a coin at the center of the field, in accordance with rules pertaining to a usual pregame toss (4-2-2). The visiting team captain is to again call the toss.

Article 3 Following a three-minute an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, play shall continue by 15-minute periods with a two-minute intermission between each such overtime period with no halftime intermission. At the beginning of the third overtime period, the captain who lost the coin toss prior to the first overtime period shall have the first choice of the three privileges in Rule 4, Section 2, Article 2, unless the team that won the coin toss deferred. there shall be a maximum of one 15-minute period. If neither team has scored, the game shall result in a tie. Each team shall be entitled to two timeouts, and if there is an excess timeout, the usual rules shall apply (4-5). The general provisions for the fourth quarter of a game shall apply, except all replay reviews will be initiated by the replay assistant. Coaches’ challenges will not be allowed.

Exception: Preseason and regular season league games shall have a maximum of one fifteen (15) minute period with the rule for 2 time outs instead of 3 as in a regular game and include the general provisions for the fourth quarter of a regular game. All replay reviews will be initiated by the replay assistant. Coaches challenges will not be allowed.

At the end of each extra 15-minute period, starting with the end of the first one, teams must change goals in accordance with rule 4-2-3. Disqualified player(s) may not re-enter during overtime period(s).

Article 4 During any intermission or team time out a player may leave the field. For postseason games, following a coin flip (Article 2 above) and an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, the following shall apply:

(a) Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff (Team B) scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner.

(b) If the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team (Team A) shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. If Team A scores a touchdown on its possession, it is the winner. If the score is tied after Team A’s possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner.

© If the score is tied at the end of a 15-minute overtime period, or if Team B’s initial possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue until a score is made, regardless of how many 15-minute periods are necessary.

(d) Between each overtime period, there shall be a two-minute intermission, but there shall be no halftime intermission after the second period. At the beginning of the third overtime period, the captain who lost the coin toss prior to the first overtime period shall have the first choice of the two privileges in Rule 4, Section 2, Article 2, unless the team that won the coin toss deferred.

(e) At the end of the first and third extra periods, etc., teams must change goals in accordance with Rule 4, Section 2, Article 3.

(f) A player is in possession when he is in firm grip and control of the ball inbounds (3-2-7). The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball.

(g) The opportunity to possess applies only during kicking plays. A kickoff is the opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.

(h) Each team is entitled to three timeouts during a half. If there is an excess timeout, the usual rules shall apply (4-5).

(i) At the end of a second overtime period, timing rules shall apply as at the end of the first half. At the end of a fourth overtime period, timing rules shall apply as at the end of the fourth quarter.

(j) All replay reviews will be initiated by the replay assistant. Coaches’ challenges will not be allowed.

Article 5 If there is an excess time out during the first and second, third and fourth, etc., extra periods, the usual rules shall apply (4-5). Disqualified player(s) shall not re-enter during any extra period or periods in the preseason, regular season, and postseason.

Article 6 Near the end of any period or during the last two (2) minutes of the second, fourth, etc., extra periods, the usual rules in regard to attempts to conserve time shall apply (4-7-1 and 5-2-1).

The rules for time outs shall be the same as in a regular game, including the last two (2) minutes of the second and fourth quarters.

Article 7 The clock operator shall time all extra fifteen (15) minute periods (4-3-1). The Back Judge shall time the three (3) and two (2) minute intermissions, and is to sound his whistle 30 seconds before the expiration of each intermission. The Referee shall sound his whistle for play to start, immediately upon the Back Judge’s signal.

Article 86 Except as specifically provided for above, all other general and specific rules shall apply during any extra period or periods in the preseason, regular season, and postseason.

Submitted by Competition Committee

Effect: Creates a modified system of sudden-death overtime. A field goal by the team that possesses the ball first in overtime will not end the game.

Reason: Moving spot of kickoff and increased accuracy of kickers has created an unanticipated advantage.

http://www.macsfootballblog.com/2010/03/nf...th-ot-rule.html

Thanks.Didn't see that if an onside is attempted, it counts as a possession opportunity for the kicking team. Thought I saw somewhere that an onside attempt would count as a possession opportunity for the kicking team.

 

[John 14:6]

Can't find a link showing the post-season rule has been officially passed.

For the playoffs only, if the team that gets the ball first scores a FG, the other team will get a chance to get the ball. But if the team that gets the ball first scores a TD, the game would be over.

LAME ! its like they knew something had to be done but wouldnt dare follow the collegiate format, which seems to end all questions of fairness. Im not sure if this is even better than leaving it as is other than entertainment value.

Why would any fantasy football fan want the college format?

Fixed.

 

[rick6668]

Interesting.

Safety Wins

Onside Kicks

Some of you have asked what happens if a team recovers an onside kick on the first kickoff of overtime. In that scenario, the recovering team could win the game on a field goal. The rules read:

"A kickoff is the opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity."

So a team could get a "walkoff" win by recovering the kick and going in for a score. Sudden death rules would then apply. The same rules apply if the receiving team fumbles a kickoff.

In theory, this could make coaches more bold to open overtime. They could fail to recover the onside kick, still hold the opposing team to a field goal, and get the ball back.

In practice, we suspect most coaches will avoid risking so much field position, just like in regulation.

I'm wondering if this is a viable strategy. You win the onside kick, you make a FG, you win.

You lose the onside kick, you hold them to a FG, you still get another possession.

Not sure if it's worth giving up that field position.... hmm

 

[David Yudkin]

Didn't see that if an onside is attempted, it counts as a possession opportunity for the kicking team. Thought I saw somewhere that an onside attempt would count as a possession opportunity for the kicking team.

It does indicate that an onside kick counts as a possession opportunity.

(g) The opportunity to possess applies only during kicking plays. A kickoff is the opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.

 

[Don Quixote]

Reading over what I posted (maybe too quickly), it looks like if "Team B" (the initial receiving team) turns the ball over, Team A's actual possession subsequent to that turnover does not count as an "opportunity to possess" (because, under 4(g), opportunity to possess only applies during kicking plays).

So, if Team A does not score on possession following turnover, and Team B kicks FG on its next possession, Team A still gets the ball back again because it has not yet had an "opportunity to possess".

That seems weird to me, but that's how I read it.

 

[rick6668]

Didn't see that if an onside is attempted, it counts as a possession opportunity for the kicking team. Thought I saw somewhere that an onside attempt would count as a possession opportunity for the kicking team.

It does indicate that an onside kick counts as a possession opportunity.

(g) The opportunity to possess applies only during kicking plays. A kickoff is the opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.

No where does it say that a kickoff is a possession opportunity for the kicking team.