At the end of the fourth quarter, when both the teams playing have equal points, then an NFL game goes to overtime. The teams have an extra 10-minutes to score a touchdown and win the game. If the first team fails to score a touchdown in the first possession, then the opposing team gets a shot to score a touchdown.
There are different rules for a game that reaches overtime in a regular season as supposed to a post-season game.
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After many games such as the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals against the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason last year going into overtime, time called for the league to update their rules in regards to teams playing in OT. Both these games were decided in OT and the teams that lost, Bills and Chiefs did not get the chance to throw the football.
Rules for NFL Game in a regular season: –
1) At the end of regulation time, the referee will toss a coin to determine which team will possess the ball first in overtime. The visiting team captain will call the toss.
2) If the game is still tied in the overtime period, the result of the game will be recorded as a tie.
3) There are two timeouts for every team in extra time
4) There are no instant replay in case of a coach’s challenge, all the reviews must be initiated by the replay official.
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However, from the 2022 NFL Season, the rules for overtime have been changed. The new rules will be:
1) Teams continue to play in the overtime period until a winner is determined.
2) Each overtime period will be separated by a two-minute intermission. After the second period, there will be no halftime intermission.
3) In overtime, each team will have a chance to possess the ball.
4) During a half, each team has three timeouts.
5) If there is still no winner at the end of the fourth overtime period, a coin toss will be held, and play will resume until a winner is declared.