Each year the NFL and its competition committee look at ways to improve the game. Hence, there are changes made each offseason. Some of those changes are slight and some are major. The 2017 offseason has brought about a change in the timing of overtime. Many proponents have wanted to see a change in overtime for years. However, with this change, I believe the NFL got it wrong.
On Tuesday, the NFL and its owners decided to decrease the time of the overtime period. The original time was a full 15-minute period. Just like the 4th quarter. The new time will be a 10-minute quarter.
Here is where the NFL got it wrong. The shortening of overtime will result in more tie games. In 2016, we saw two ties. That was the most ties we had seen in a season since 1997. That year we also had two ties. Going to 10 minutes is going to increase these chances.
During the 2016, regular season there were 12 games that went into overtime. Of these 12 games, 6 ended in under 10-minutes, three ended under 15-minutes, and three took the entire time. There were two ties and a time expiring FG to save a third.
While the stats may look good for a 10-minute overtime, they are not. Half of last year’s games would have ended in a tie. Does the NFL want to see more ties? I am all for parody in the league. However, a tied ball game is not the way to show it.
The NFL says their reasoning for dropping the time is to lessen the number of snaps the players take between games each week. Just in case, a game does go the extra session. I am all for player safety but I also want to see victories and not ties.
The NFL and its competition committee should look at adopting a different overtime format in general. Something along the lines of the NCAA. This is an exciting ending to the college game. Just think how exciting it would be in the professional game. It would put a complete emphasis on defense. Moreover, we all know what defense does!
The NFL has made this change permanent going forward. All preseason and regular season games will be 10-minutes and post-season overtime will remain at 15. While change, in some aspects is good, this change was wrong. This NFL rule change has done a disservice to its fans.
How do you feel about the new overtime timing rule? Please leave your comment below.
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