NFL Rule Change: Both Teams Will Be Guaranteed a Possession in Postseason OT

This past year’s AFC Divisional Round game between the Chiefs and Bills was an instant classic that ended on a Patrick Mahomes touchdown pass to Travis Kelce with the Chiefs knocking off the Bills 42-36. There was an immediate backlash on social media regarding the NFL’s often ridiculed overtime format that doesn’t guarantee both teams a possession in the extra time.

According to Adam Schefter, that won’t be an issue in the NFL playoffs moving forward with a new rule change coming in 2022:

Both teams now will be assured of getting the football in overtime during the postseason, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 29, 2022

Under the former rules, both teams had the opportunity to possess the ball at least once in overtime unless the team that receives the overtime kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession (the Chiefs accomplished this against the Bills). That modified overtime rule was implemented during the 2010 season.

Now, we know both teams will get at least one possession in the overtime period, no matter what happens on the first drive, but we don’t know precisely what that will look like. We also know that this rule modification applies only to the overtime period in the postseason, as of today.

Here’s a look at the rules changes and resolutions passed at the annual league meeting courtesy of Ian Rapaport:

Here are the rules changes and resolutions passed during the Annual League Meeting: pic.twitter.com/b1K3ZaIp2L

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 29, 2022

So, the NFL listened to the fans, making a change to a long-criticized flaw in the game.