What the heck took them so long? The NFL has been around since the 1920s but it took them 90 years to come up with a fair overtime system. The League announced that the rules for overtime will be different in the 2010-2011 season, although as of right now it will only apply to postseason play. I still want to see changes for all games like we said a month ago, but for now, some change is better than none.
The new change says both teams will have an opportunity to possess the football unless the first team scores a touchdown. Although it’s not the change I’d like to see, at least it’s something. I’m the type of person who likes to see teams battle it out in overtime. If I were NFL commissioner I’d tell the owners that this new rule is an improvement but it still sucks and they should follow my suggestion: the same rules should apply as if you were coming back from halftime. One team will have to kick the ball off and obviously the other return it. Overtime will be played just like any other quarter except this is your last chance. The first team to score seven or more points will be declared winner of the game and it should be for regular season games too.
Yup, that’s how I’d do it. I don’t know about you but I’m tired of the whole one-and-done field goal scoring; I want to see touchdowns in overtime. I want to see hardcore defense so frightening that even while I’m protected by a television set I’m still left shaking. While I’m happy that the NFL is changing its rule I feel that it still needs more tweaking. Thankfully the League has shown they will be proactive with the matter and the new system should provide for more interesting football. For playoff games for now.
Sources:
Proposal to change OT rules in playoff games passed by 28-4 vote [NFL.com]
