Here's How to Fix the NFL Overtime Debacle (According to Twitter)

It might feel a bit knit-picky to find a flaw in the final game of the NFL Divisional Round matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, but Buffalo not having a shot to touch the ball in overtime might be a reasonable gripe. Especially if you were holding a Bills +2.5 or moneyline betting ticket from WynnBET.

The Bills thought they had perhaps won the game twice in the final two minutes! The first came when Josh Allen found a wide open Gabriel Davis for his THIRD touchdown catch of the game on 4th and 13 from 27 yards out; completing a 19-play, 75 yard drive.

Of course, Mahomes immediately found Tyreek Hill on a 64-yard scamper, to reclaim the lead just 52 seconds later.

Despite getting their heart ripped out and stomped on one more time, Allen and Davis did it YET AGAIN, leaving only 13 seconds left on the clock for K.C, down three, to force overtime. Sure enough, Mahomes completed two big throws to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, leaving Harrison Butker to deliver from 49 yards away to force overtime. Once the Chiefs won the coin toss, they never gave Buffalo a chance to score, marching down the field for a touchdown to Kelce to win it.

Did the Bills Get Screwed by the NFL's Overtime Rules?

Ironically, the Chiefs had the same thing happen to them back in their first AFC Championship game of the Patrick Mahomes era back in the 2018-19 season, as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots walked off at Arrowhead to play for the Super Bowl.

But is the NFL's overtime rule a fair one? Many fans across social media seemed to believe that although the Bills should have prevented Mahomes and the Chiefs from going 44 yards with 0:13 seconds left on the clock, that Josh Allen should have still had an opportunity to at least touch the football.

Here were some of the most notable submissions of the evening. Some should be taken very seriously by the league. Others? Not so much.

Top Ways to Fix the NFL Overtime Rule

Eliminate the Coin Toss and Substitute Another In-Game Variable to Determine First Possession in Overtime

I'll shout out my friend and former Sports Illustrated colleague Mitch Goldich here (he also invented "The Octopus" term when the same player scores a touchdown as well as on a two-point conversion).

His concept is to eliminate the coin toss to decide who gets to receive, eliminating a massive advantage created from the league's current overtime system. While both teams may not have an opportunity to score, it does present something more unique than "making your own luck."

Have the NFL Play the "Old" College Overtime Format

Back in the day, college teams would trade possessions from the 25-yard line as each team got a guaranteed opportunity to score. The rules changed slightly in 2021. Now, after the first two possessions, teams trade two-point conversions from the 2-yard line until one team scores and the other fails to do so. It's how you get a 20-18 final score in a 9 OT game.

Add a Possession Following a Touchdown, but the Opposing Team MUST Go for Two if They Score

This concept I can definitely get behind. Say the team that gets the ball in overtime scores easily. Now, overtime becomes true sudden death when the second team scores. This may be my favorite of all of them so far.

The NFL Equivalent to a Hockey/Soccer Shootout

In the iconic words of Randy Jackson, "that's gonna be a no from me, Dawg."

If Josh Allen OR Patrick Mahomes can't touch the ball in overtime, I want nothing to do with this.

Win by Eight Points in Overtime to Avoid Giving Your Opponent a Shot

We have a new submission for my favorite so far.

Think of the strategy that would be deployed! If you're a head coach, are you going for two to end the game right away, knowing that if you miss, a team just needs to score and kick the extra-point to win it.

Don't think we're going to find one better, but let's keep digging.

Have Both Offenses and Defenses Play Simultaneously

If you thought your heart was beating out of your chest just watching one offense play one defense on the field, imagine this scenario taking place!

NFL Blitz Rules!

Pick a Card. Any Card

It got a laugh out of me, so naturally, it makes the article.