NFL overtime rule change
Since 1994 the team that has won the coin toss in overtime, has won the game 60% of the time. This result lead to a 28-4 vote that passed a proposal on Tuesday that will change the way the overtime works in NFL playoffs. In the new terms, the team who wins the coin toss can win the game by scoring a touchdown. However if they only manage to score a field goal, then the opposing team, will opportunity to score. If they get a touchdown then the game is over. If they are only able to score a game tying field goal, then the game will continue in a second over time. It will be a traditional sudden death rules. This is a permanent change that will be applied. This rule change will add excitement and intrigue to overtime. Of the many games I’ve seen the old overtime rules have allowed a team to be super cautious. They pressure to score a td was never there. With the new rule the pressure to put the ball in the end zone will be higher and provide more entertaining finishes to games. No longer will a riveting game end with an anti-climatic overtime. The potential convoluted endings make this rule confusing at first but will keep fans entertained throughout the playoffs. The majority of the owners and the competition committee felt the change was necessary and would improve games for the future. The rule that is being called the “Brett Favre Rule” because of the way the Vikings vs. Saints playoff game ended, lends a little comic value in the fact that Minnesota Vikings were a team that voted against the rule. The only flaw I see in the rule is the fact that it doesn’t take effect till the playoffs. The rules should be consistent and be in effect throughout the season. The biggest reason for the rule to not be in effect for the regular season is the resistance from the NFL Players Association. They feel that the rule in the regular season would keep the players on the field longer and give more opportunity for injury. When the regular season ends team are separated by a game or two and if the rule was in effect during the regular season this could mean the difference between making the playoffs or not, as well as whether a team is at home vs. on the road for the playoffs.