Overtime in the NFL is basically a short extra period with special rules to decide a winner after regulation ends in a tie. The exact mechanics are slightly different for regular season vs. playoffs, but the core ideas are coin toss, at least one possession each, and then sudden death.

Basic idea

  • If the game is tied after four quarters, it goes to overtime.
  • There’s a coin toss to see who gets the ball first; visiting team calls it.
  • Teams then play an extra period with modified timing and possession rules until someone wins (or it ends in a tie in the regular season).

Regular season overtime

  • Length: One overtime period of up to 10 minutes after a short break.
  • Possessions:
    • Each team must get a chance to have the ball; the only exception is if the defense scores a safety on the first drive.
* After both teams have had the ball, it becomes sudden death: any score (field goal, TD, safety) ends the game.
  • Timeouts: Each team gets two timeouts in the overtime period.
  • Ties: If it’s still tied after the 10 minutes, the game ends in a tie.
  • No coach’s challenges; all reviews are initiated by the replay official.

Playoff overtime

In the postseason, they can’t end in a tie, so overtime keeps going until someone wins.

  • Format:
    • Periods are played in 15-minute chunks and can continue for multiple overtimes if needed.
* There’s a brief intermission between OT periods, but no “halftime” in overtime.
  • Possessions:
    • Both teams are guaranteed a possession, even if the first team with the ball scores a touchdown on its opening drive.
* Once both teams have had the ball, it turns into sudden death: next score wins.
  • Timeouts: Each team gets three timeouts per “half” of overtime (two OT periods).

What actually decides it?

  • A game can end in OT on:
    • Any score after both teams have had a possession (TD, FG, safety).
* A defensive safety on the first possession (the team that kicked off wins immediately).
  • In regular season, the clock can also “win” by expiring with the score still tied, which makes it an official tie.

Quick story-style example

  • Regulation ends 24–24.
  • Coin toss: Team A receives first.
  • Team A drives and kicks a field goal (27–24).
  • Team B now must get a possession; if they:
    • Score a TD → they win (27–30).
    • Kick a field goal → still tied, and now the game becomes sudden death on the next possessions.
    • Fail to score → Team A wins.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.