Watching an NFL game tonight that went to overtime. During the coin flip to start OT, the ref talks to the players and explains the rules, etc. The ref ends his talk by asking the players “any questions?”
Has any player ever asked a question? If so, what?
What types of questions could be asked, and assuming it’s related to the OT rules just explained, what duty does the ref have to make sure the player understands the answer?
I don’t recall ever hearing a player ask a question. Though, as we’ve had several games that have ended in ties, in which one or more players then said, “I didn’t think a game could end in a tie,” maybe they should ask about that. 
Wonder why they haven’t added “The game CAN end in a tie” to the end of that spiel.
Probably because there’s not an official spiel. Might be useful to have one though.
The “any questions” part would have been needless prior to the rule changes of 2009 which really complicated OT a lot more than the previous “first team that scores wins” simplicity.
Yes, that. I remember actual confusion in the announcing booth the year of the rule change, despite the fact that they must have been briefed.
Thanks for the responses. I just found it odd that the ref asked a question - I don’t think they make sure the players understand any other part of the game - just OT. I’m not sure how it could be exploited, but I’m sure it will.
I can envision Coach Belichick “stalling” if they happen to need time to get ready/player ready for OT (go ask some questions, and ask f/u questions to get me 5mins). Then people will hate him, and then the Refs won’t ask the next year.
I’m moving this to the Game Room because it’s just as relevant there, and that gives the thread more latitude for discussion.
RickJay
Moderator
I’m sorry but all I can think of is this.
I was watching the Chiefs-Chargers game Thursday night (which I assume is what prompted the OP) and am pretty sure the ref covered the fact that the game ends in a tie if the score is still tied when OT expires or both teams have had their share of possessions.
On the other hand, there is only one player from each team present at the coin toss, so the rest of the players on the sidelines may not necessarily be aware of the rules.
Tangential: how do they select players for the coin toss? And why not just bring the two head coaches out there?
The “team captains” participate in the coin toss; those are chosen by each team at the start of the season, and captains have a “C” patch on their jerseys (over the right breast). IIRC, if a team has more than three designated captains, they can only send three out to participate in the coin toss.
This does bring to mind an odd potential circumstance. Let’s say the team receiving the kickoff is pinned deep. Let’s say they decide to use a run only strategy and gain 3 or 4 yards on each play, running down the clock as they slowly match down the field. They’ve run the clock down and try a field goal as time expires and miss the kick. What would happen in that situation?
Assuming that it’s a regular-season game, the game ends in a tie. The rule about the other team getting a chance at the ball if the first team with possession scores a field goal doesn’t supersede the 10-minute length of an overtime period (and would not apply, anyway, as the receiving team did not score).
Not sure what you mean by that - there’s no limit to number of possessions in the NFL OT rules. The game continues until a score or time runs out.
So, to be clear, if the team made the FG as time expired in OT on the first and only possession, the game would end in a (say) 13-10 tie?
It seems like the other team would get an untimed possession after the FG to either: tie (FG) win (TD) or lose (no score). I think I’m confused about something.
I think that this refers to a relatively recent NFL rule for overtime, which states that both teams have the right to at least one possession, unless the team which receives the kickoff to open overtime scores a touchdown on that possession (or the defense on that possession scores).
In effect, what this means is that the team which receives the kickoff can’t win the game with a field goal on that initial possession. If that team does score a field goal, the game continues; however, if the other team doesn’t score on their next possession, the game then ends.
The first paragraph is correct. The NFL does untimed plays on rare occasions, but not untimed possessions. The rule about “the second team has the right to a possession if the team which receives the opening kickoff of overtime scores a field goal on that possession” doesn’t supersede the rule that “an overtime period lasts ten minutes.”
Ok. I must live to see a 13-10 tie now.
But since that is the rule, I’d imagine they would try and score a TD and not kick a FG on the last play since the FG would not help them.
It wouldn’t be a 13-10 tie, it would be a 13-10 win. If they missed, it would be a 10-10 tie, because the second team wouldn’t get a possession because the clock ran out before their possession.
Here’s the specific rule:
The following shall apply to overtime games in the regular season.
There shall be a maximum of one 10-minute period, even if the second team has not had an opportunity to possess the ball or if its initial possession has not ended. If the score is tied at the end of the period, the game shall result in a tie.