NFL overtime rules are important to know for two reasons: one, the NFL has been tweaking these rules in the 2020s, so it’s important to keep track. And two, these rules can have a major impact on betting outcomes. You might think you’ve won your wager, or think your bet is still in the bag before overtime begins, but league and betting OT rules can swing a spread, total, or moneyline in various ways.
For example, many bettors still believe overtime is immediately sudden death. That’s no longer the case. The NFL updated its overtime format so that both teams are guaranteed an opportunity to possess the ball before sudden death can begin.
This NFL overtime rules guide explains the current NFL rules, the differences between the regular season and the playoffs, what those rules mean for bettors, and how the Bovada NFL betting rules tie in.
View the latest NFL odds at Bovada!
How Long Is Overtime in an NFL Game? Regular Season Rules Explained
Regular-season overtime lasts 10 minutes.
When a game is tied at the end of regulation, a coin toss determines which team will possess the ball first. The winner of the toss may choose to receive, kick, or defer.
Under the current NFL regular-season overtime rules, both teams are guaranteed a chance to possess the ball. This means that even if the first team scores a touchdown on the opening drive, the opposing team still has a possession.
For example, Team A wins the coin toss and scores a touchdown. Team B then receives the ball and gets its chance to match or surpass that score. This creates an interesting scenario where if Team A scores a touchdown or even a field goal, the pressure is on Team B to match with a field goal or TD of their own – it’s going to be four-down territory.
If both teams have possession and the game is still tied, the rules change to sudden death. If the score is still tied after the 10-minute OT, the regular season allows the game to end in a tie.
Things that haven’t changed include the standard kickoff rules; teams still have to kick from the 35-yard line, and touchbacks from kickoffs end up on the 30-yard line. Any punts that end in a touchback end up on the 20-yard line.
Are Overtime Rules Different in the Regular Season vs the Playoffs?
The biggest difference between NFL overtime rules in the playoffs vs. the regular season is simple: playoff games cannot end in a tie.
In the regular season, the standings can accommodate ties. In the playoffs, one team must advance, and one team must be eliminated.
Playoff OT also uses 15-minute periods instead of the regular season’s 10-minute periods. If the game is still tied after the first overtime, they’ll keep playing 15-minute OTs until a winner is determined. Yes, it can go on forever.
Like the regular season, both teams are guaranteed at least one possession before sudden death begins.
For bettors, the no-tie rule in the playoffs is the most important distinction. A playoff moneyline wager will always produce a winner, so there’s no chance for a push or no action like a regular-season moneyline bet. Totals can also be significantly affected because more OT periods mean more scoring opportunities.
What Happens if Both Teams Score a Touchdown in NFL Overtime?
This is one of the most misunderstood NFL overtime scenarios.
Consider the following example:
- Team A receives the opening kickoff.
- Team A scores a touchdown.
- Team B receives its guaranteed possession.
- Team B also scores a touchdown.
At this point, the game remains tied, and now the game goes to sudden death – the next score wins.
If Team A kicks a field goal on the next drive, Team A wins. If Team B records a safety, Team B wins. Any score ends the game.
Now, if Team A starts overtime with a field goal, Team B can win immediately with a touchdown. If Team B kicks a field goal, the game is tied again, and sudden death begins. If Team B doesn’t score, Team A wins.
This can create interesting plays, where Team B may be under pressure to score a TD even if it’s 4th-and-10 on their own 30-yard line.
For bettors holding total wagers, this distinction matters. A game that features matched touchdowns in overtime can continue well beyond two possessions and can make a can’t-miss under into a nail-biter.
When Does Sudden Death Start in NFL Overtime?
True sudden death begins after both teams have had at least one possession in overtime. The only exception to this is if the defense scores a safety during the opening possession.
Many fans still think NFL overtime starts as an immediate, sudden-death period. That was true under older versions of the rulebook, but it is no longer the case:
- 1974-2011: NFL OT was pure sudden death. First score wins.
- 2012-2024: A modified sudden death. The playoffs adopted this format first, then the regular season. If the first team scored a field goal, the other team got possession. If the first team scored a TD, the game ended immediately.
- 2022-2024: A playoff-only change where both teams were guaranteed a possession, even if the first team scores a TD.
Today, both teams receive a guaranteed opportunity to possess the ball. If the game is still tied after both teams have had possession, any score wins.
Suppose Team A punts on its first possession. If Team B then scores on a field goal, Team B wins immediately because it leads after both guaranteed possessions.
As we said earlier, if a regular-season game is tied at the end of the 10-minute overtime, the tie stands as the final result. You’ll see it on a team’s record as 10-6-1, for example – 10 wins, six losses, and a tie.
For bettors, understanding when sudden death starts provides a clearer picture of how long overtime may continue. It could also change how live betting is approached. Teams will likely play for a field goal rather than a touchdown, or could be more conservative or more aggressive in their approach, depending on their strengths and weaknesses.
These scenarios are also where understanding NFL stats and how to apply them to wagers comes into play. We suggest our “What are NFL Stats” guide and the “NFL Betting Stats Guide” as tools to make informed decisions in these situations.
What Should I Know About NFL Overtime Rules Before Betting on a Game?
The first thing every bettor should understand is that overtime counts towards any full-game wagers. This includes second-half wager and any player or team props.
For spread wagers, overtime can completely change the outcome. A bettor who takes a +6 underdog would rather his team lose by 3 points instead of forcing overtime and losing by 7.
For totals, overtime adds extra possessions and scoring opportunities. A game that appears headed under the total at the end of regulation can finish well over once overtime begins. Overtime is a long time when passes are being completed, and the clock keeps stopping.
Moneyline wagers are where things get interesting. In the regular season, a game can end in a tie, and therefore it’s a Push – the bettors get their money back. But in the playoffs, no tie is possible; a moneyline bet is action until there’s a winner.
What Are the NFL Overtime Rules?
Let’s say you have Team A vs. Team B, and the game is headed into overtime. Team A wins the coin flip and chooses to “receive” the ball. Here are all the overtime rules:
- In the regular season, overtime lasts 10 minutes. In the playoffs, overtime lasts 15 minutes.
- Both teams are guaranteed a possession, AKA an opportunity to score.
- If Team A scores a touchdown on its first possession, Team B must do the same or lose the game.
- If Team A scores a field goal on the first possession, Team B must at least do the same. However, they can win the game with a touchdown.
- If Team B’s defense records a safety on Team A’s first possession, the game is over, and Team B wins.
- Either team can go for a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown. This includes a scenario in which, if Team A takes the extra point, Team B can “go for two points” to try and end the game.
- If the game is still tied after both teams possess the ball. The game is now sudden death; any score wins.
- In the regular season, if the game is still tied after the 10-minute OT, it ends in a tie.
- In the playoffs, if the game is still tied after the 15-minute OT, the teams play another 15-minute OT. However, any additional periods are immediately subject to sudden death. The 15-minute overtime will continue indefinitely until a team scores and wins.
Understanding these rules is important because overtime can directly affect nearly every full-game wager available. Bettors can explore NFL betting opportunities through Bovada NFL odds and learn more through the NFL betting guide and NFL sports betting stats guide.
NFL Overtime Rules: Frequently Asked Questions
How long is overtime in an NFL game?
In the regular season, NFL overtime lasts 10 minutes. In the playoffs, overtime periods last 15 minutes and continue until a winner is determined.
Why are overtime rules different in the regular season vs. the playoffs?
The regular season allows ties because ties count in the standings. Playoff games must produce a winner, so overtime continues until one team wins.
What happens if both teams score a touchdown in NFL overtime?
If the team that receives the ball first scores a touchdown, the other team still receives its guaranteed possession. If that team also scores a touchdown, the game moves to sudden death, and the next score wins.
When does sudden death start in NFL overtime?
Sudden death begins after both teams have had at least one possession in overtime and the game is still tied. After that, any score ends the game.
What should I know about NFL overtime rules before betting on a game?
Bovada sportsbook includes overtime in full-game spread, moneyline, and total wagers in settlements. In the regular season, a tie remains possible; therefore, a moneyline would be a push or no action. Playoff games always produce a winner. All full-game wagers include any and every OT period unless otherwise stated.
Sign up to Bovada today