A game tied after four quarters isn’t necessarily headed for a replay or a fifth full quarter. In American football, overtime gives the teams a set of extra chances to break the tie—but the details depend on the league, and the NFL and college game handle those chances differently.
What overtime means
Overtime (OT) is the extra period or series of possessions used to decide a game that is tied at the end of regulation. The aim is simple: give both teams an opportunity to score, then use the applicable tiebreaking rules to determine a winner. Overtime is not always sudden death, despite the familiar phrase. In many situations, both teams get the ball before the game can be decided by the next score.
That distinction can turn a coach’s decision into a major strategic moment. A team may choose to receive the ball first and try to build a lead, or let its defense take the field and see what the opponent can do. The choice matters, but it does not always settle the game.
NFL overtime rules
Under the NFL rules in use since the 2025 season, both teams get an opportunity to possess the ball in overtime, even if the first team scores a touchdown. That is a change from the older format, in which an opening-drive touchdown could end the game before the opponent’s offense took the field.
NFL regular-season overtime lasts up to 10 minutes. Playoff overtime periods last 15 minutes, and a postseason game cannot end in a tie. If the score remains level after one playoff period, the teams continue into another.
How an NFL overtime plays out
- A coin toss sets the first choice. The winner can choose whether to receive or kick off, or select which end of the field to defend.
- The teams take turns with the ball. Each side gets a possession opportunity. A team can score a touchdown, kick a field goal, turn the ball over, or fail to score.
- The result of both possessions matters. If one team leads after both have had the ball, it wins. If the score is still tied, the game continues under sudden-death rules: the next score wins.
- The clock can run out in the regular season. If neither team has won when the 10 minutes expire, the game ends in a tie.
For example, suppose the first team kicks a field goal. The other team then knows what it needs: a touchdown wins the game, a field goal ties it, and no score leaves the first team ahead. If both teams kick field goals, the next score after each has had its opportunity decides the game.
A team’s choice to go for two after a touchdown can also shape the outcome. If the first team scores a touchdown and converts for seven points, the second team could attempt a two-point conversion after its own touchdown to win immediately. A one-point conversion would tie the score instead, sending the game into sudden death.
College football overtime rules
College football uses a different format. Instead of a timed extra period that begins with a kickoff, each team gets an offensive series starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line. The teams alternate possessions, and the defense tries to stop each drive before the offense scores.
If the score is still tied after both teams have completed their first overtime possessions, they each get another series. Starting in the second overtime, teams must attempt a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown. Beginning in the third overtime, the format switches to alternating two-point plays from the 3-yard line rather than full drives from the 25.
That change makes extended college games increasingly direct. A team might win by stopping its opponent’s two-point play after converting its own, or lose if it cannot match the other side’s conversion. There is no overtime clock like the NFL’s 10- or 15-minute period; the teams keep playing until the tie is broken.
NFL and college overtime at a glance
| Feature | NFL | College football |
|---|---|---|
| How play begins | Coin toss, then kickoff | Teams alternate series starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line |
| Length | 10 minutes in the regular season; 15-minute playoff periods | No timed period; possessions continue until there is a winner |
| Do both teams get the ball? | Yes, under the current format | Yes, each team gets a turn in each overtime round |
| Can the game end tied? | Yes, in the regular season if time expires | No; play continues until a winner is decided |
| How later overtime works | Further periods in the playoffs if needed | Two-point tries are required in the second OT; alternating two-point plays begin in the third |
Why overtime decisions are so important
Overtime can magnify the value of field position, clock management, and a single defensive stop. A team starting deep in its own territory may need several first downs just to get into field-goal range. Meanwhile, a defense that forces a turnover can give its offense a short field—or, in some cases, end the opponent’s scoring chance altogether.
Coaches also have to weigh risk against certainty. On fourth down, they might choose to punt, attempt a long field goal, or keep the offense on the field. A field goal can be valuable, but it may simply give the other team a chance to answer. A touchdown provides a stronger position, though the opponent still gets a possession under the current NFL format.
Rules can differ outside the NFL and NCAA. High school overtime, for instance, is set by state associations; many use a possession-based tiebreaker, but the starting spot and procedures can vary. If you’re watching a league other than the NFL or college football, check its local rules rather than assuming the format is the same.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is NFL overtime sudden death?
Not from the opening possession. Under the current NFL format, both teams get a chance to possess the ball. If the game is still tied after those opportunities, it becomes sudden death: the next score wins.
Can an NFL game end in a tie?
Yes. A regular-season game ends in a tie if neither team wins before the 10-minute overtime period expires. Playoff games continue through additional periods until there is a winner.
How does college football overtime start?
Each team gets an offensive possession beginning at the opponent’s 25-yard line. The teams alternate series, with the overtime format shifting to two-point attempts if the game lasts into later rounds.
Does the team that scores first always win?
No. In the NFL, both teams get an opportunity to respond. In college, both teams get a series in each overtime round. The first team to score may gain an advantage, but it does not automatically win.
Final Thoughts
Overtime is football’s answer to a tie, but it is not one universal rule. NFL games use a timed format with a regular-season tie still possible, while college games use alternating possessions and increasingly condensed tiebreakers. Once you know which system you’re watching, the key question is easy to follow: what does each team need to do with its opportunity?
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.