Thursday, January 28, 2010

Fixing NFL Overtime

I don't have a huge problem with overtime in the NFL. The college system is exciting, but is artificial and takes out the element of punting and field position. Plus, starting in field goal range is silly. I like the element of sudden death. It's manly, but is a little unfair that it's too easy to win with a field goal now. So it's a small problem. Using ideas researched from here, here are some interesting proposals.

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College system, but each team starts from 50.

Pro: Completely balanced, and teams have to fight to even get in field goal range.
Con: Could drag on in a multiple overtime game, and does feel artificial.

Continue the game where the 4th quarter ended.

Pro: Keeps the flow of the game.
Con: Teams with the ball would play for overtime, and take the fun out. Why kick a field goal with 40 seconds left and give the ball back when you can let the clock run out and kick on the first play of overtime.

Current rules, but each team guaranteed a possession.

Pro: Solves the stated problem easily.
Con: I suppose the team that gets the ball first still has an advantage of getting a field goal first, after both teams score on their opening possessions. Pretty good though.

First team to get 6 points in OT wins.

Pro: Fair yet rewards a sudden death touchdown on opening drive.
Con: Can't think of one.

Right now the rule is first one to score. Why not have it be first one to score 6? If the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown they win. If they kick a field goal, the other team has a chance to get a touchdown and win. If they only get a field goal, and lose due to a second field goal, at least they can say they had the ball in overtime with a chance to win.

Is there anything wrong with this that I'm missing? Which one is your favorite, including the current system?

3 comments:

  1. I'm not a fan of the current system as it seems like way too much weight on the coin toss. The last option (first to 6) makes the most sense to me since the win would really have to be earned and the other team will likely have a chance to respond. The only potential problem with it is extending a game into further overtimes than usual. But at just two field goals or one touchdown, that seems unlikely.

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  2. Yeah, I think that's the biggest downfall of the college system, is that you can have 7-overtime games.

    With the "need 6 to win" it could be over on the opening kickoff, and wouldn't add that many drives. Best of all, it eliminates the worst part of a football game: when teams stop trying to go for a touchdown because they are in field goal range.

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  3. sure, option six seems like it's the best one, but i kind of like the college system, but making the teams start at their own 40 or the 50, making them drive the field a little.

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