# Colts propose NFL overtime rule change. Do you agree? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [February 28, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257 "2022-02-28T22:34:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/61 "2022-03-02T18:13:22Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > And, if there is a turnover, does the game immediately end, since both teams have had a possession? Seems like a weird way to do. NCAA does it that way. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/62 "2022-03-02T18:56:22Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > If that is not enough of an advantage, we could have a rule that if the first team gets 7 points, the second team, if they get a touchdown, **has** to go for the win i.e. 2 point conversion. I’d be down for removing PATs from overtime altogether, leaving only 2pt attempts. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Is it any different than every team choosing to defer to the 2nd half? Yes, in that I don’t think that’s the case. Maybe the majority choose to defer, but nowhere near the unanimity of choosing to receive in OT under the current rules, or wanting to go second in a “one drive only for both” situation. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/63 "2022-03-02T19:01:16Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Is it any different than every team choosing to defer to the 2nd half? I think it’s very different. The second team to go in OT is often no longer playing the odds with their decisions, they are reacting to a certainty. If you’re down 3, you don’t ever punt, if you’re down 6-7, you don’t ever kick a FG, if you’re down 0, a FG will win 100% of the time. The first team doesn’t have that certainty, they don’t know if a FG will be enough to win, if a punt will doom them to a loss. The benefit of ‘holding them to a FG’ pales in comparison to the other team knowing they 100% have to get a TD, and can freely play 4 downs to get it, or that they 100% only need a FG, and can kick it on 1st down to avoid a turnover. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/64 "2022-03-02T19:22:28Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > NCAA does it that way. So does the NFL. When the first team scores a FG and the second team loses the ball on their drive. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/65 "2022-03-02T19:24:44Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > How about this: each team gets one possession. The score at the end of those possessions is the final score. I like this idea. Flip a coin, and the coin toss winner likely chooses to go second. Where should the drives begin from? 20? 40? 50? ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/66 "2022-03-02T19:33:38Z")
Since the NFL went to the current OT rules in 2012 there have been 10 ties. I don’t think 1 tie a year is excessive and they should leave the rule as it is. For the playoffs, each team getting at least 1 possession is the best way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/67 "2022-03-02T20:40:59Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > And, if there is a turnover, does the game immediately end, since both teams have had a possession? It would. Because as the rules are now, if Team A goes first and kicks a FG, and Team B gets the ball and there’s a turnover, the game is over and Team A wins. Under the “both sides get the ball, then it’s over” idea, if Team A didn’t get a FG and instead punted or had a turnover of some kind (fumble, interception, failing on 4th down) and then Team B got the ball and had a turnover, the game is over with a tie. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/68 "2022-03-02T20:45:59Z")
I would be opposed to this. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/69 "2022-03-02T20:46:55Z")
I don’t like it either to be honest. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/70 "2022-03-02T22:00:08Z")
[Moderating] @penultima_thule and especially @Omniscient , you’re getting dangerously close to personalizing your arguments, here. I instruct both of you to cool it. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/71 "2022-03-02T22:32:21Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > Where should the drives begin from? 20? 40? 50? Kickoff like at the start of each half. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/72 "2022-03-02T23:27:47Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Under the “both sides get the ball, then it’s over” idea, if Team A didn’t get a FG and instead punted or had a turnover of some kind (fumble, interception, failing on 4th down) and then Team B got the ball and had a turnover, the game is over with a tie. OK, assume that Team A didn’t score and punted. Team B throws an interception that is returned for a touchdown by Team A. Does the game end as soon as the interception is recorded? Or does Team Team A win? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2022, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/73 "2022-03-02T23:30:00Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Does the game end as soon as the interception is recorded? Or does Team Team A win? The play would be allowed to finish. Generally, in the NFL you don’t end a play prematurely on a technicality. There would be no “point after” attempt though. Just as now, if you score a TD in OT, the game ends at that point and you win. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/74 "2022-03-03T00:35:31Z")
Nvm … ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/75 "2022-03-03T00:38:22Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > The play would be allowed to finish. Generally, in the NFL you don’t end a play prematurely on a technicality. Certainly the play would be allowed to finish. I was just being a jerk and pointing out that the game might not IMMEDIATELY end with a turnover by Team B. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/76 "2022-03-03T00:59:16Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Do both coin flips at the start of the game. I’d say consolidate it to one coin flip. Loser of the opening flip wins the OT flip by rule. Or as I suggested upthread, tie OT possession to home field advantage. Even if a full OT rule change isn’t adopted, making it so that the teams will know before going into OT who starts with the ball would resolve a lot of the frustration with the current rule. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/77 "2022-03-03T01:06:46Z")
Does overtime even need a coin flip? Give the advantage to whoever scored last. (Or first, but I think last feels better.) For that matter, ties could be resolved without overtime by giving the win to whoever scored last. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/78 "2022-03-03T01:16:08Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > I was just being a jerk and pointing out that the game might not IMMEDIATELY end with a turnover by Team B. You weren’t a jerk, it was actually a good point. 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/79 "2022-03-03T01:17:41Z")
How about team throws an interception, but then fumbles the ball back? I’d say the possession was still over, but others might disagree. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2022, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257/80 "2022-03-03T01:38:57Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Does the game end as soon as the interception is recorded? Doesn’t it already work that way? My understanding is that under the current rules, during the “fair ups” drive in OT – where you must score at least a FG to keep the game going – if you turn the ball over the play is immediately whistled dead, no return or potential of fumbling it back even possible. Do I have that wrong? > [@Atamasama](#): > > The play would be allowed to finish. Generally, in the NFL you don’t end a play prematurely on a technicality. Both False Start and Offsides (unabated to the QB) come to mind. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colts-propose-nfl-overtime-rule-change-do-you-agree/960257.md?page=5)