NFL competition committee considering modifying OT rule in playoffs, per report

One of the most talked about NFL rules in recent weeks has been the overtime rule, which states that if a team scores a touchdown once both teams have the ball, it’s a walk-off victory.

Mark Maske of The Washington Post reports that that there is some sentiment within the NFL competition committee to modify that rule, which drew widespread backlash following the Kansas City Chiefs overtime win over the Buffalo Bills. It was widely regarded as one of the most entertaining NFL games in recent memory. To complete that move, 24 teams out of 32 would have to go along with it.

NFL competition committee is meeting today in Indy. There is at least some sentiment within the committee for modifying OT for the postseason to ensure that each team gets one possession. But such a measure still would need to get 24 votes among the 32 teams to be enacted.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) February 27, 2022

The Colts submitted a proposal to guarantee each team of at least one possession in overtime, both in regular season and postseason games, source says. But, again, it will need 24 votes to pass and that’s a significant task.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) February 28, 2022

As Pro Football Talk noted in the days after the Super Bowl, if the NFL doesn’t make the change after the thoroughly unsatisfying ending to the Bills-Chiefs playoff game, the NFL likely never will. And the only solution that the powers-that-be regard as sensible entail a postseason-only alteration that gives the team that kicked off to start overtime a chance to match or beat an opening-drive touchdown.