NFL Playoff OT Scenarios

[umpire99]

The Flem File breaks down the NFL's new overtime rule - ESPN

Has anybody read this article? I know it was written for humor, but it does show the confusion in the new playoff OT rules.

I have a suggestion: Put 15 minutes on the clock. Play it like a new quarter for the entire 15 minutes. If someone leads after 15 minutes expire, do it all over again. If this went on long enough, coaches would start taking chances and we might see some really entertaining football.

[bisonlj]

It actually clarified it a lot for me. Until I read it I hadn't considered things like muffed or fumbled punts or onside kicks. I kind of like this format but we'll have to see how it plays out.

[jTheUmp]

By my count, 7 of the 19 scenarios presented are things that would be unchanged from the regular-season OT rule, and an additional scenario (#19) is unchanged from the previous playoff OT rule.

So there's a bit of exaggeration for effect going on.

I wonder what the NFL's casebook (or whatever equivalent they have) has listed for playoff OT cases.

[starman]

Here is one interesting case that I was considering....

The score is 0-0 going into OT.
Team A kicks a field goal on the first possession. The score is now 3-0.
Team B drives down the field to team A's 1-yard line.
Team B fumbles and the ball and the ball is nearly at rest on the 1 yard line.
Team A bats the ball into and out of its own end zone.
This would be a safety for team B.
I think that the game would then be over and Team A would the game 3-2.

[football-1]

intersting spin to the new rule.


Team with first kickoff should always try onside kick.

successful - of course only need FG for win

unsuccessful - the other team can score FG
you still get the ball for one possession and you have always 4 downs to convert on that drive.


loophole ?
but of course if the other team scores a TD -> game over.

[Robert Goodman]

What happens if, following the OT kickoff (either K or R recovering) and no further change of possession, a safety is scored? Does the team that scored the safety need to gain possession of the ball for the game to end?

Or: Team B leads 3-0 in OT with team A scrimmaging 4th down and 8 to go at B's 30. B1 is offside and A1's FG attempt is deflected and rolling at B's 27. B2 muffs the ball and A2 recovers there and is down, with B2's touch being ruled to have occurred beyond whatever neutral zone the NFL allows. Does A have to accept the penalty to keep the game going, or can they take the recovery as still part of their team possession?

Here's another: On the opening drive, A1's FG attempt is first touched by B1 clearly beyond the neutral zone and recovered by A2. Without losing team possession, A eventually makes a FG. Game over?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by starman

Here is one interesting case that I was considering....

The score is 0-0 going into OT.
Team A kicks a field goal on the first possession. The score is now 3-0.
Team B drives down the field to team A's 1-yard line.
Team B fumbles and the ball and the ball is nearly at rest on the 1 yard line.
Team A bats the ball into and out of its own end zone.
This would be a safety for team B.
I think that the game would then be over and Team A would the game 3-2.

So B shouldn't have fumbled.