So I was just watching Jets vs. Steelers (hell of a game, btw) and was wondering how overtime works in the playoffs.
If there is no score during the first overtime period, obviously there will be second OT period. Say one team is driving the ball down field when the first OT period ends. Does the drive continue at the start of the second OT period, or is there a coin flip and another kickoff to begin the 2nd period?
Assuming the drive does continue to start the 2nd period, is all play throughout all overtime periods continuous, or is there a designated point (maybe after the 2nd OT period) at which the end of the period also ends the current drive, and the next OT period begins with a coin flip and kickoff?
Bonus question: Has any NFL playoff game ever gone past one OT period?
No, there is not. Basically in playoff overtime, it’s like the whole game starts over. The second OT period would be like the second quarter, so the driving team would keep possession of the ball. If that period ended and the game was still tied, there would be another “halftime” with a kickoff to the team that started the first OT period on defense. Repeat every two quarters until the game concludes.
When the situation arose last week, they explained the relevant rules (which others have already posted). The only thing I’d add is that if the game continues for two quarters and there’s no score, the subsequent “halftime” is abbreviated (as I recall it only lasts four minutes) before the kickoff starts the third overtime quarter.
The NFL has never gone to three overtimes fortunately. There was a USFL playoff game that did once. Michigan vs. Los Angeles I believe. It was played in L.A.
In the summer.
It was really hot.
It wasn’t pleasant.
L.A.'s kicker missed at least two field goals that would have won the game and the Express eventually won on a TD.
Well technically the team that wins the toss at the start of the game or an overtime gets to choose kickoff or receive or which goal to defend. Almost always they choose to receive, and the other team then gets to choose which goal to defend. At the start of the second half or third overtime period, the team that lost the original coin toss gets to choose first. Almost always they choose to receive, and the other team chooses which goal to defend.
