The National Football League's owners have voted to modify the playoff overtime rule, allowing both teams to have possession.

• The National Football League's owners approved a change to the playoff overtime rule, allowing both teams to have possession of the ball after a touchdown on the first possession.
• The classic playoff game between Kansas City and Buffalo in January resulted in renewed scrutiny of the previous rule after Kansas City scored a touchdown on the first possession in overtime.
• NFL head coaches were divided on the change.

NFL owners approved a change to the playoff overtime rule on Tuesday, allowing both teams to have possession of the ball during extra time, regardless of whether a touchdown is scored on the first possession.

The 2021 NFL playoffs, which saw six of the final seven games decided by three points or less, led to renewed scrutiny of the previous rule after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills by scoring a touchdown on the first possession in overtime of their classic playoff game this past winter.

The previous playoff overtime rule allowed each team to possess the ball in extra play unless the team that received the opening kickoff scored a touchdown. If the opening drive resulted in a field goal, the opposing team would have the chance to match the score or win with a touchdown. If there was a turnover, the first team to score would win. This rule remains in effect for the regular season.

In March 2012, the NFL modified Rule 16, which expanded the format from the playoffs to the regular season.

Since 2010, the Atlanta Falcons CEO, Rich McKay, who is also the chairman of the NFL's Competition Committee, has observed that in 12 postseason overtimes, the team that won the coin toss has emerged victorious 10 times. Out of these 10 wins, seven occurred on the first drive, including the Kansas City Chiefs' triumph over the Bills in January.

The Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles made a proposal to share possession of the ball in overtime, regardless of whether a touchdown is scored on the first possession.

What coaches think

NFL head coaches were divided on whether to change overtime, with 29 owners voting in favor and 3 opposing the change.

On Tuesday, Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay stated that he believes everyone would agree that Bills quarterback Josh Allen deserved another possession in the playoffs, and that Chiefs coach Andy Reid shares the same view.

John Harbaugh, the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, disagreed with additional modifications. He stated, "I'm not for them. I don't think adding plays at the end of the game is the answer." Additionally, he said, "I don't think extending games is the answer."

On Tuesday, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera described himself as a "traditionalist" but stated that he was "opened-minded" in discussions related to the matter. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan did not express a strong opinion on the issue.

Shanahan stated that he hasn't had significant problems with it, as he has won games even when they didn't have the ball. He added that they have also been able to limit opponents to field goals and come back to win with a touchdown. As a result, he doesn't have a strong opinion on the outcome.