NFL 2016: Overtime Excitement

NFL 2016: Overtime Excitement

With so many close games, it's no surprise that 21 regular season games were ultimately decided in overtime last year

Last season, an impressive 68 percent of all regular-season games (174 of 256) were within one score in the fourth quarter. The 174 such games tied for the third-most of any season in NFL history.

With so many close games, it's no surprise that 21 contests in the regular season were ultimately decided in overtime, tied for the fourth-most in a regular season since overtime was instituted in 1974.

The overtime action started early with the Rams' 34-31 OT win against Seattle on Kickoff Weekend and extended all the way into the postseason with Arizona's thrilling 26-20 overtime victory against Green Bay in the Divisional Playoffs.

Overtime games also had playoff implications in 2015 as four games in the regular season's final two weeks needed extra time, including Denver's OT win over Cincinnati in Week 16 on Monday Night Football, which helped the Broncos secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

The NFL teams with the best regular-season overtime records since overtime was instituted in 1974:

Best Regular-Season Overtime Records Since 1974

Team	Record	Win Pct.
Source: NFL
Washington	25-15-1/td>	.622
Denver/td>	28-17-2/td>	.617
Arizona/td>	24-16-2/td>	.595
Buffalo/td>	20-14-0/td>	.588
San Francisco/td>	22-16-2/td>	.575

A sampling of individual overtime records:

Longest Touchdown Pass

- 99 Yards Ron Jaworski to Mike Quick, Philadelphia 23, Atlanta 17 (11/10/85)

- 87 Yards Teddy Bridgewater to Jarius Wright, Minnesota 30, New York Jets 24 (12/7/14)

- 82 Yards Tom Brady to Troy Brown, New England 19, Miami 13 (10/19/03)

- 82 Yards Brett Favre to Greg Jennings, Green Bay 19, Denver 13 (10/29/07)

Longest Touchdown Plays

- 99 Yards (Pass) Ron Jaworski to Mike Quick, Philadelphia 23, Atlanta 17 (11/10/85)

- 99 Yards (Punt return) Patrick Peterson, Arizona 19, St. Louis 13 (11/6/11)

- 96 Yards (Run) Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 36, New York Jets 30 (9/6/98)

- 96 Yards (Kickoff return) Chad Morton, New York Jets 37, Buffalo 31 (9/8/02)

Longest Touchdown Run

- 96 Yards Garrison Hearst, San Francisco 36, New York Jets 30 (9/6/98)

- 60 Yards Herschel Walker, Dallas 23, New England 17 (11/15/87)

- 50 Yards Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh 15, Atlanta 9 (9/12/10)

Longest Field GoaL

- 57 Yards Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland 16, New York Jets 13 (10/19/08)

- 54 Yards Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis 16, San Francisco 13 (12/2/12)

- 53 Yards Chris Jacke, Green Bay 23, San Francisco 20 (10/4/96)

Modified Sudden Death Overtime

For the 2010 postseason, the NFL installed a modified sudden death overtime system to determine the winner when the score is tied at the end of regulation. In 2012, the system was expanded to cover all NFL games.

Teams have the opportunity to possess the ball at least once in the extra period unless the team that receives the overtime kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession.

Preseason And Regular Season Overtime Rules

At the end of regulation time, the referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

- Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, there shall be a maximum of one 15-minute period. Each team must possess or have the opportunity to possess the ball unless the team that has the ball first scores a touchdown on its initial possession.

- Play continues in sudden death until a winner is determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the referee for a palpably unfair act. Each team shall be entitled to two timeouts, and if there is an excess timeout, the usual rules shall apply.

- The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.

- If the score is tied at the end of the 15-minute overtime period, the game shall result in a tie.

- Instant Replay: No challenges. Reviews to be initiated by the replay official.

Playoff Overtime Rules

At the end of regulation time, the referee will immediately toss a coin at the center of the field in accordance with rules pertaining to the usual pregame toss. The captain of the visiting team will call the toss prior to the coin being flipped.

- Following a three-minute intermission after the end of the regulation game, play will be continued in 15-minute periods until a winner is declared. Each team must possess or have the opportunity to possess the ball unless the team that has the ball first scores a touchdown on its initial possession.

- Play continues in sudden death until a winner is determined, and the game automatically ends upon any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a score is awarded by the referee for a palpably unfair act. Each team has three time outs per half and all general timing provisions apply as during a regular game. The try is not attempted if a touchdown is scored. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.

- Instant Replay: No challenges. Reviews to be initiated by the replay official.

Overtime Rules - Key Definitions

Possession:

Actual possession of the ball with complete control. The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball.

Opportunity to possess:

The opportunity to possess occurs only during kicking plays. A kickoff is an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or a field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receivers. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.