The NFL overtime rules in 2026 give both teams an opportunity to possess the football, even if the team receiving the opening overtime kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession.
That represents an important change from the NFL’s previous regular-season overtime format, when an opening-drive touchdown could immediately end the game.
Under the current rules, both teams generally get an opportunity to possess the ball. What happens afterward depends on the score and whether the game is being played during the regular season or playoffs.
Here is how NFL overtime works in 2026.
How Do NFL Overtime Rules Work in 2026?
When an NFL game is tied at the end of regulation, the game proceeds to overtime.
A coin toss is held before overtime to determine the teams’ choices regarding possession and direction.
The biggest rule to remember is:
Both teams get an opportunity to possess the football, even if the first team scores a touchdown.
Once both teams have had their opportunity to possess the ball, if the score remains tied, the game moves into sudden death.
At that point, the next score wins.
How Long Is NFL Overtime?
During the NFL regular season, overtime lasts 10 minutes.
If neither team has won before the 10-minute overtime period expires, the game can end in a tie.
NFL playoff overtime works differently.
During the postseason, overtime periods are 15 minutes, and the game cannot end in a tie. Additional overtime periods are played if necessary until a winner is determined.
Does Each Team Get the Ball in NFL Overtime?
Yes.
Under the current NFL overtime format, both teams generally receive an opportunity to possess the ball.
That remains true even if the team receiving the opening overtime kickoff drives down the field and scores a touchdown.
For example:
Team A receives the overtime kickoff and scores a touchdown.
The game does not immediately end.
Team B gets the football and has an opportunity to respond.
What Team B does with that possession determines what happens next.
Does a Touchdown End NFL Overtime?
Not necessarily.
An opening-possession touchdown does not automatically end overtime under the current rules.
Suppose Team A receives the football first and scores a touchdown followed by an extra point.
Team A now leads by seven points.
Team B still receives an opportunity to possess the football.
If Team B fails to score a touchdown, Team A wins.
If Team B scores a touchdown and kicks the extra point, the game becomes tied again.
If time remains, the game then continues under sudden-death rules.
Can a Team Go for Two to Win in NFL Overtime?
Yes.
This creates one of the most interesting strategic decisions under the NFL overtime format.
Suppose Team A scores a touchdown and extra point on the opening possession.
Team B then drives down the field and scores a touchdown.
Instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game, Team B can attempt a two-point conversion.
If the two-point conversion succeeds, Team B takes the lead and wins the game.
If the two-point conversion fails, Team A wins.
Teams therefore have the option of trying to end the game immediately rather than extending overtime.
What Happens if Both Teams Score a Touchdown?
If both teams score touchdowns and the score is tied after their initial possessions, overtime continues.
At that point, the game moves into sudden death.
That means the next score wins.
A field goal, touchdown, safety or another scoring play can therefore determine the winner once both teams have completed their initial opportunities and the game remains tied.
What Happens if the First Team Kicks a Field Goal?
If the team receiving the opening overtime kickoff scores a field goal, the opposing team gets an opportunity to possess the football.
The second team could then:
Score a touchdown — second team wins.
Kick a field goal — game becomes tied and overtime continues.
Fail to score — first team wins.
If the teams remain tied after their initial possessions, sudden death applies.
What Happens if the First Team Does Not Score?
If the first team fails to score during its initial possession, the other team gets the football.
The second team could potentially win the game by scoring.
For example, if Team A punts and Team B subsequently kicks a field goal, Team B wins.
The same principle applies if Team A turns the ball over without scoring and Team B subsequently produces the winning score.
What Happens if the Score Is Still Tied After Both Teams Get the Ball?
Once both teams have had an opportunity to possess the football, a tied game moves into sudden death.
The next team to score wins.
For example:
Team A scores a field goal.
Team B responds with a field goal.
The game is still tied.
From that point forward, the next score wins the game, provided there is still time remaining in a regular-season overtime period.
Can an NFL Regular-Season Game End in a Tie?
Yes.
An NFL regular-season game can still end in a tie.
Regular-season overtime lasts 10 minutes.
If the overtime period expires without a winner being determined, the game ends as a tie.
This is one of the major differences between regular-season and postseason overtime.
What Happens if the Overtime Clock Runs Out?
During the regular season, the overtime clock matters because there is only one 10-minute overtime period.
If the 10 minutes expire without a winner, the game ends in a tie.
The regular season does not continue into additional overtime periods simply to produce a winner.
That is different from the playoffs.
NFL Playoff Overtime Rules
NFL postseason games cannot end in ties.
Playoff overtime periods are 15 minutes instead of the 10-minute period used during the regular season.
Both teams receive an opportunity to possess the football under the postseason overtime format.
If the score remains tied after both teams have had their opportunities, the game moves into sudden death.
If an overtime period expires and the game still has not been decided, another overtime period is played.
The process continues until there is a winner.
Regular Season vs. Playoff NFL Overtime Rules
| Rule | Regular Season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|
| Overtime period | 10 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Both teams can get possession | Yes | Yes |
| Opening-drive TD automatically wins | No | No |
| Sudden death after initial possessions | Yes | Yes |
| Game can end in a tie | Yes | No |
| Additional OT periods | No | Yes, if necessary |
The most important difference is that regular-season overtime can end in a tie, while playoff overtime must eventually produce a winner.
When Did the NFL Change Its Overtime Rules?
The NFL initially adopted guaranteed-possession overtime rules for postseason games before extending the concept to the regular season.
Beginning with the 2025 NFL season, both teams were guaranteed an opportunity to possess the football during regular-season overtime, subject to the overtime clock.
That means the rule remains in place for the 2026 NFL season.
Why Did the NFL Change the Overtime Rules?
One of the biggest criticisms of the previous overtime format was that the team winning the coin toss could score a touchdown on the opening possession and win without the opposing offense ever touching the football.
The current format gives the other team’s offense an opportunity to respond.
As a result, winning the overtime coin toss no longer means that an opening-drive touchdown necessarily ends the game.
Simple Example of NFL Overtime
Imagine the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills finish regulation tied 27-27.
Buffalo wins the overtime coin toss and receives the football.
The Bills drive down the field and score a touchdown, then kick the extra point.
Buffalo leads 34-27, but the game is not over.
Miami gets the football.
If Miami fails to score a touchdown, Buffalo wins.
If Miami scores a touchdown and kicks the extra point, the game becomes 34-34 and moves into sudden death if time remains.
If Miami scores a touchdown and successfully converts a two-point attempt, Miami wins 35-34.
If Miami scores a touchdown but fails on a two-point attempt, Buffalo wins 34-33.
NFL Overtime Rules Explained
The easiest way to remember the 2026 NFL overtime rules is that an opening-possession touchdown no longer automatically ends the game.
Both teams generally get an opportunity to possess the football.
If the score remains tied after those opportunities, overtime becomes sudden death and the next score wins.
During the regular season, teams have a 10-minute overtime period, and the game can end in a tie.
During the NFL playoffs, overtime periods last 15 minutes, and teams continue playing until a winner is determined.
For NFL fans accustomed to the old sudden-death format, the biggest takeaway is simple: scoring a touchdown first in overtime does not necessarily mean the game is over.