Owners Change Overtime
In an overwhelming vote for change, the NFL owners approved altering the rules for overtime in the playoffs on Tuesday at the league meeting in Orlando.
The proposal passed easily by a 28-4 count. There were 24 votes needed for passage. Voting against were Buffalo, Minnesota, Baltimore and Cincinnati.
The Chiefs cast one of the 28 votes for the change. Starting with the 2010 post-season, if the team that wins the overtime coin toss drives down the field for a touchdown, they will win the game. If they drive for a field goal, the other team will have an offensive possession and the chance to tie the score with their own 3-pointer, or win the game with a touchdown.
If the score remains tied after each team had a possession, then the next team that scores wins the game.
Meh…I liked my idea better.
And why only for the playoffs? What about games that have “playoff implications”? (Which is pretty much every game of the year)
And seriously…don’t these guys have more important problems to be worried about than changing the effing Overtime rules for the playoffs? Also, was this ever even considered before the Vikings got beat by the Saints this past season?
I like the change, wish they did it for regualar season as well. I know they didnt becasue of more game time when players are tired and increases injurys, but the new rule they placed into effect actually wont be that much more game time in reality.
So, im okay with it, jsut needs to be for entire season and I dont think the Players Assoc. would complain that much
“If they drive for a field goal, the other team will have an offensive possession”…
Do the rules allow for an onside kick? That would be interesting.
Mad Chief echoed my thoughts. Because the NFL’s darling Favre lost in overtime in the playoffs to a field goal, the rule was changed. Last year because the NFL’s other darling, Brady, was injured on a legitimate, non-vindictive or spiteful play, a rule was changed.
So what if 60% of the teams who win the coin flip win in overtime? With the passing rules being so liberal and DB’s unable to even touch a receiver at all whether within 5 yards or not, of course field goals will be easier to achieve with a shortened field.
The last I saw a game, if the defense is tired, the offense usually is also. I don’t like this rule change at all. The one rule they should change is the pass interference penalty by the defense. That should be a 10-15 yard penalty at most, and if it results in a first down, fine. If the yardage is still too short for a first down, then no automatic first down.
It’s about time. Now, lets lobby for the change to affect the regular season as well and I will be completely satisfied.