NFL overtime rules in 2024 playoffs, explained

With the NFL playoffs here once again, there’s a chance the game you’re watching could go into overtime.

And that used to mean one team could get a chance to score and their opponents wouldn’t get to touch the ball in the extra period.

NOT ANYMORE!

These are different than the regular-season rules, too, but after the epic Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs game a couple of years ago, the NFL made a change. And this time, both teams will absolutely get possession of the ball at least once. Good news if you wanted that.

Let’s jump in with the rules, via the NFL’s Football Operations site:

• If the score is still tied at the end of an overtime period — or if the second team’s initial possession has not ended — the teams will play another overtime period. Play will continue regardless of how many overtime periods are needed for a winner to be determined.
• There will be a two-minute intermission between each overtime period. There will not be a halftime intermission after the second period.
• The captain who lost the first overtime coin toss will either choose to possess the ball or select which goal his team will defend, unless the team that won the coin toss deferred that choice.
• Each team will have an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime.
• Each team gets three timeouts during a half.
• The same timing rules that apply at the end of the second and fourth regulation periods also apply at the end of a second or fourth overtime period.
• If there is still no winner at the end of a fourth overtime period, there will be another coin toss, and play will continue until a winner is declared.

The key here: If a team scores, no matter what, the other squad will get the ball to try and tie it up or win it.

There you have it!