NFL playoff overtime rules explained: What happens if the game is tied after regulation

NFL playoff overtime rules are shaping the drama of this postseason, and they matter more than ever as the road to Super Bowl 60 tightens. January football often lives on thin margins, where one kick or one stop can tilt a season.

This year’s bracket opened with 14 teams and five weeks of pressure, and it did not take long for extra football to arrive.The divisional round delivered the first overtime moment of the 2025 playoffs when the Buffalo Bills pushed past regulation against the Denver Broncos on a late Matt Prater field goal. It was a reminder that playoff games do not always fit neatly into four quarters. In fact, this marked the sixth postseason overtime game in the last six seasons, a trend that reflects both parity and rising stakes.

NFL playoff overtime rules explained

Playoff overtime looks familiar, but key differences separate it from the regular season. Once regulation ends tied, a new coin toss sets the stage. The overtime period runs 15 minutes, longer than the 10-minute window used from September through December. Each team keeps three timeouts per half, even if the game stretches into a second overtime.The most important change is possession fairness. Both teams are guaranteed at least one offensive drive.

A touchdown on the opening possession no longer ends the game. If the first team scores seven, the opponent still gets the ball with a chance to match. Extra points are not attempted when a touchdown ends the contest.If the coin toss winner comes away with only a field goal, the door stays wide open. The opposing team can win outright with a touchdown on its drive. If it settles for three, the game moves into sudden death, where the next score decides everything.

A rare exception exists if the first team commits a safety, which hands an immediate win to the other side.These rules grew out of a controversial ending in the 2021 postseason, when Buffalo never touched the ball against Kansas City. That finish sparked debate and pushed the league to act. Today’s format ensures balance and rewards complete team play on both sides of the ball.Strategy has evolved as well. The coin toss winner often chooses to receive, but deferring is now a real option. Playing defense first allows a team to know exactly what it needs on offense. In January, clarity can be as valuable as talent. As the playoffs roll on, overtime is no longer a coin flip. It is a calculated test of nerve, preparation, and execution.