Topic Terms

What is Overtime in Football

Overtime in football is an additional period played when a game is tied at the end of regulation, with different rules in the NFL, college football, and high school football to determine a winner.

Overtime in football is the additional playing time used to determine a winner when a game is tied at the end of regulation. Overtime rules differ significantly between the NFL, college football, and high school football — and the NFL's rules have changed multiple times in recent years due to controversy over fairness.

NFL Overtime Rules (Current — Since 2022)

The NFL uses a modified overtime system for the regular season and playoffs:

Regular Season

  • One 10-minute overtime period (reduced from 15 minutes)
  • Both teams guaranteed a possession — the first-possession team can only win by touchdown on the opening drive (a field goal does not end the game)
  • If the first team scores a touchdown: game over, they win
  • If the first team kicks a field goal: the other team gets a possession; if they also score a touchdown, they win; if they also kick a field goal, play continues
  • If no score after the 10-minute period: game ends in a tie (regular season only)

Playoffs

  • Same rules but no tie allowed — the game continues until someone scores

Previous NFL Rules (Pre-2022)

Before 2022, the NFL used "sudden death" in which the first score of any kind won. Before 2012, even a first-possession field goal ended the game immediately — which drew massive criticism after the Saints scored on a coin-flip-won possession to eliminate Brett Favre's Vikings in the 2010 NFC Championship.

College Football Overtime

College overtime is dramatically different and widely considered the most exciting format:

  1. Each team gets the ball at the opponent's 25-yard line with no time on the clock
  2. They alternate possessions — the team that scores more in the OT period wins
  3. After two OT periods, teams must attempt two-point conversions after touchdowns (no extra points)
  4. After four OT periods, teams use two-point conversion only (no touchdown drive needed) — alternating attempts

High School Overtime

High school rules closely mirror college overtime with shortened field positioning.

The Coin Toss Advantage

Studies show that winning the overtime coin toss in the NFL provides a meaningful advantage — the team with first possession wins roughly 52–55% of overtime games. This was the primary driver of rule changes.

Related Terms