In the NFL playoffs, overtime (OT) is basically a “new game” with rules designed to make sure both teams get the ball at least once and that the game cannot end in a tie.

Core idea

  • Both teams are guaranteed one possession in overtime, no matter what the first team does on its drive (even if they score a touchdown).
  • After both teams have had the ball, it becomes sudden death: next score wins.
  • Playoff OT periods are 15 minutes long and they keep adding periods until someone wins.

How a playoff OT starts

  • If the game is tied after 4th quarter, there’s a coin toss; visiting team calls it. Winner chooses to receive, kick, or pick which goal to defend.
  • The clock is set for 15 minutes, like a full quarter, and the kickoff starts overtime.

Possessions and scoring

  • Team A gets the ball first. Whatever happens (punt, field goal, touchdown, turnover), Team B is guaranteed a chance to possess the ball once.
  • If Team A scores a touchdown and kicks the extra point, Team B can still tie with a TD + extra point, or win with a TD + 2‑point conversion.
  • After both have possessed it:
    • If one team is ahead, game over.
    • If still tied, next score by any method (TD, FG, safety) wins.

Multiple overtimes

  • If the first OT period ends and:
    • The second team is still on its first possession, that drive just continues into the next OT period.
* The game is still tied after both teams had the ball and the clock hits 0:00, they start another 15‑minute OT.
  • This repeats as many periods as needed; playoff games cannot end in a tie.

Timing, timeouts, and “new game” feel

  • Playoff OT is treated like a fresh game half:
    • 3 timeouts per team per OT “half” (two OT periods together).
* There’s a two‑minute warning at the end of the second OT quarter, and the usual end‑of‑half timing rules apply.
  • There’s a two‑minute break between OT periods, but no “halftime” show or long break after the second OT.

Quick example (story-style)

  • Regulation ends 24–24.
  • OT coin toss: Team A receives and drives for a touchdown, now 31–24.
  • Team B then gets its guaranteed possession:
    • If they punt or turn it over, game ends, Team A wins.
    • If they score a TD and kick the extra point (31–31), game continues and now next score by either team wins.
* If they score a TD and go for 2 and make it (32–31), game ends right there, Team B wins.

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