What are NFL overtime rules for regular season and playoffs?

In 2022, the NFL adopted an amended rule that allowed both teams a guaranteed shot to get the ball during a postseason overtime. Previously, the team to receive the ball could end the game if a touchdown was scored.

The rule adoption came in response to an epic and controversial classic between the Buffalo Bills and Chiefs in the AFC's divisional round, an eventual 42-36 Bills defeat. In that playoff game, Buffalo did not have the chance to possess the ball despite a dramatic end to regulation in which both teams combined for 25 points in the last couple of minutes.

Overtime in the regular season was not impacted by the changes.

There will not be any overtime games in the 2024 preseason, it's because the NFL abolished preseason overtime in 2021. If teams are tied at the end of regulation, the game is ruled a tie.

When the clock hits zero after the four quarters of regulation and both teams are tied, it's time for some extra fun! The referee flips a coin, and the visiting team captain calls it. The winner gets to choose whether to receive the ball or kick it away.

Once the dust settles, a single 10-minute overtime period kicks off after a three-minute intermission. Each team must possess, or have the opportunity to possess, the ball. Here's the kicker: if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown, they walk off with the win. But if they only manage a field goal, the other team gets a shot at redemption.

If both teams score the same amount on their initial drives, it’s sudden death from there on out—first to score (safety, field goal or touchdown) wins! And if, after all that drama, they're still tied, well, they just shake hands and call it a draw.

Other things to bear in mind:

1. Each team gets two timeouts.
2. The point after try is not attempted if the game ends on a touchdown.

3. If the score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, the result of the game will be recorded as a tie.

4. There are no instant replay coach's challenges; all reviews will be initiated by the replay official.

While regular season games can end with an even score after a 10-minute overtime period, ties can not happen in the playoffs. When the playoffs roll around, things get a bit more intense.

The overtime period stretches to a full 15 minutes, and both teams are guaranteed a chance to score. If the score is still tied after 15 minutes – or if the second team's initial possession has not ended – the two teams start another 15-minute period until the winner is declared.

Both teams will now get at least one possession. Gone are the days when winning the coin toss was a golden ticket to glory - now, even if the team that has the first possession scores a touchdown, their opponent will now still get a chance to answer.

If the team with the first possession fails to score a touchdown, or if the game is still knotted after each side has had their turn, the next points scored will seal the deal.

If the team with the first possession commits a safety, the game is over. The kickoff team can start planning their victory lap. This rule applies both in the regular season and the playoffs.

Other things to bear in mind:

1. There are no coaches' challenges in overtime. All replay reviews will be initiated by the replay official.
2. There will be a two-minute intermission between each overtime period. There will not be a halftime intermission after the second period.
3. Each team gets three timeouts during a half (two overtime periods), as opposed to two timeouts during overtime in the regular season.
4. The intermission between the end of regular time and the first overtime period is no more than three minutes.
5. There's a two-minute intermission between each overtime period, but no halftime intermission after the second.
6. At the start of the third overtime 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.
7. If there is no winner at the end of a fourth overtime period, another coin toss will take place and play will resume.

The legendary divisional playoff clash between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day in 1971 holds the record for the longest game in NFL history, stretching a staggering 82 minutes and 40 seconds into double overtime. The Dolphins triumphed with a nail-biting 27-24 victory, thanks to Garo Yepremian's walk-off field goal.

Only two Super Bowl games have ever needed overtime, and it didn't happen until Super Bowl 51 between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots surged back from a 28-3 deficit to score 25 unanswered points and send the game into OT, during which Brady and the Pats drove 75-yards and scored first on a James White touchdown run to end the game.

The 2023 showdown between the Chiefs and the 49ers was the second of 58 Super Bowls to be tied after regulation. It was the first played under new overtime rules that ensure both teams get a chance to possess the ball before the game ends -- unless the first drive in OT ends with a safety.

After winning the overtime coin toss, the 49ers elected to receive the ball to start the extra period. But their 13-play drive ended with Jake Moody's 27-yard field goal and set the stage for Patrick Mahomes, who orchestrated his own 13-play drive punctuated by a game-winning 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman that sealed the Chiefs' 25-22 victory.