A tied score at the end of regulation doesn’t always mean the same thing in American football. In the NFL, the clock and whether it’s a regular-season or playoff game matter. College football uses a different system, and high school rules can vary by state. Here’s how each level settles a deadlock—and what happens if the game still isn’t decided.
NFL overtime rules
When an NFL game is tied after four quarters, the teams play overtime. A coin toss gives the winner the choice to receive the kickoff or kick off. The main difference is that regular-season games can still end in a tie, while playoff games keep going until there’s a winner.
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Regular season | One 10-minute overtime period. If the score is still tied when time expires, the game is a tie. |
| Playoffs | Overtime periods are 15 minutes. Play continues through additional periods if necessary; there is no tie. |
| First possession scores a touchdown | In the regular season, that touchdown ends the game. In the playoffs, the other team gets a possession too, unless the opening possession ends in a safety. |
How the opening possession works
In a regular-season game, the opening possession can end the contest with a touchdown. If the team with the ball instead kicks a field goal, the other team gets a chance to answer. A touchdown wins the game; a field goal ties it and sends play into sudden death, where the next score wins. If the first team fails to score, the next score by either side wins.
Playoff overtime is designed to give both teams a chance to possess the ball, even if the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown right away. For example, if the first team drives for a touchdown, the opponent can answer with a touchdown of its own. If the score is then level, the next score decides the game. A safety on the first possession is the exception: it ends overtime immediately.
Overtime is still played with normal football rules, so field position, turnovers, penalties, and clock management all matter. A team can choose to go for it on fourth down, attempt a field goal, or take other risks just as it can during regulation. The shorter regular-season overtime makes every possession especially valuable.
College football overtime rules
College football uses an alternating-possession system rather than a conventional timed overtime. Each team gets a turn on offense, starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line. Teams alternate until one outscores the other in the same round. A possession can end with a touchdown, field goal, turnover, or a failed fourth-down attempt.
For instance, if the first team scores a field goal, the second team can win with a touchdown, tie with a field goal, or lose without scoring. If both teams score touchdowns, the round remains tied and another begins. There’s no game clock in the usual sense during these possessions, though the play clock and other rules still apply.
To limit the length of games, the scoring procedure changes in later rounds. Starting in the second overtime, a team that scores a touchdown must attempt a two-point conversion. From the third overtime onward, teams alternate two-point conversion attempts rather than running full offensive possessions. If both teams convert—or both fail—the attempts continue until one team succeeds and the other doesn’t.
This format can turn overtime into a test of play-calling as much as endurance. Coaches may need to decide whether to use a familiar two-point play or save a preferred call for a later round, while defenders must prepare for a short, high-pressure snap.
High school overtime rules
High school overtime rules depend on the state association. Many use an alternating-possession format, often with each team starting close to the goal line, but the starting yard line and details can differ. Some states also have specific procedures intended to shorten games or handle multiple overtimes. Check the rules for the state or competition in question rather than assuming every school follows the same setup.
What if teams are tied in the standings?
A tied game and a tie in the standings are different things. In the NFL, a regular-season tie counts as half a win and half a loss for each team. If teams finish with records that leave them level for a division title or playoff spot, the league applies its standings tiebreakers. Depending on the situation, those can include head-to-head results, division or conference records, results against common opponents, and strength of victory.
Those procedures don’t change the score of a tied game. They determine which team ranks higher after the games are over. College conferences and other competitions set their own standings and postseason tiebreakers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can an NFL game end in a tie?
Yes. A regular-season NFL game ends in a tie if the 10-minute overtime period expires with the score level. Playoff games continue until a winner is determined.
Does the team that wins the overtime coin toss automatically win?
No. Winning the toss gives a team a choice about the opening kickoff, not a victory. The opponent may get the ball immediately or have a chance to answer, depending on the league and what happens on the first possession.
Does college football have a timed overtime?
Not in the same way as the NFL. College teams alternate possessions from the opponent’s 25-yard line in the early rounds, then move to two-point attempts in later rounds. The standard overtime sequence isn’t decided by a 10- or 15-minute game clock.
Are high school overtime rules the same everywhere?
No. State associations can set different formats, starting field positions, and later-overtime procedures. The local state rulebook is the best reference for a particular game.
Final Thoughts
The quickest way to understand a football tie-break is to identify the level of play and the setting. NFL regular-season games get one 10-minute overtime and can remain tied; NFL playoff games continue until there’s a winner. College football alternates possessions and eventually shifts to two-point attempts, while high school procedures vary by state. Once you know which format applies, the stakes of each possession—and the clock—are much easier to follow.
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.
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