PALM BEACH, Fla. – NFL house owners voted Tuesday to amend the playoff additional time rule with a view to permit each groups to own the ball no matter whether or not a landing is scored on the primary possession of the additional interval.
The change came visiting two months after the 2021 NFL playoffs, which noticed six of the ultimate seven video games determined by three factors or much less. The earlier rule got here underneath renewed scrutiny after the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Payments by scoring a landing on the primary possession in additional time of their basic playoff recreation this previous winter.
Beneath the earlier playoff additional time rule, every crew was allowed to own the ball in additional play except the membership that obtained the opening kickoff scores a landing. If the opening drive resulted in a subject aim, the opposing crew would get a chance to match the rating or win with a landing. If there was a turnover, the primary crew to attain would win. This rule continues to be in impact for the common season.
The NFL final modified the regulation, known as Rule 16, in March 2012, when the league expanded the format from the playoffs to the common season.
Since 2010, Atlanta Falcons CEO Wealthy McKay – chairman of the NFL’s Competitors Committee – famous there have been 12 postseason overtimes and the crew successful coin toss has received 10 instances. Seven of these victories got here on the primary drive, together with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ win over the Payments in January.
A proposal from the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles sought to have each groups ought to possess the ball in additional time, no matter whether or not a landing is scored on the primary possession.
What coaches assume
Whereas greater than a mere majority of league house owners agreed with a change – 24 of 32 house owners wanted to OK it – NFL head coaches have been divided on altering additional time. (The ultimate vote was 29-3.)
Requested a couple of rule change on Tuesday, Tremendous Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay mentioned: “I do not assume there could be anyone that will disagree that (Payments quarterback) Josh Allen in all probability deserved [another] possession within the playoffs. And I do know [Chiefs coach Andy Reid] feels the identical approach.”
However Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh disagreed with additional modifications. “I am not for them. I do not assume including performs on the finish of the sport is the reply,” he mentioned. “I do not assume extending video games is the reply.”
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera labeled himself a “traditionalist” however added he was “opened-minded going into these discussions” on Tuesday. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan did not have a powerful opinion on the matter.
“I’ve by no means had too large of a problem with it,” Shanahan mentioned. “I’ve misplaced video games the place we’ve not gotten the ball, however we have additionally been in a position to maintain folks to a subject aim and are available again and win on a landing. So, I actually haven’t got a powerful opinion on which approach it goes.”
