NFL overtime rules for 2023 season explained

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 NFL overtime rules. 

Ever wonder what happens when an NFL game ends in a tie? In overtime, both teams should theoretically get a chance to win the game, albeit the rules now vary between regular season overtime and playoff overtime.

In 2017, the league approved a change that would shorten overtime periods in the regular season from 15 minutes to 10 minutes with the hope that shorter game times would improve player safety.

In the wake of the Chiefs-Bills playoff game in 2021, the league has written in a revolutionary rule in which both teams must possess the ball in overtime in the postseason. This is not the case for the regular season.

Here are the rules to know regarding NFL overtime in the regular season.

NFL overtime rules for 2023 regular season

Overtime begins with a coin toss. The team that wins the coin toss chooses whether it wants to receive the kickoff or not; the team’s visiting team captain traditionally calls the toss.

After possession is determined, the 10-minute period of overtime will begin. If the game remains tied after 10 minutes, the game ends in a tie.

Each team has two timeouts, and the two-minute warning applies as usual. There will be no instant replay for coach’s challenges.

In NFL regular season overtime, each team gets the opportunity to possess the ball with one notable exception: if the team that receives the kickoff scores a touchdown (not just a field goal) on the opening possession.

Assuming the team with possession first doesn’t score a touchdown, sudden death goes into effect, and the game will end on any score (a field goal, safety, or touchdown).

If a team does score a touchdown in overtime, no extra point will be attempted.