A tied score at the end of regulation does not always mean the teams head straight into the same kind of overtime. The answer depends on the competition: the NFL uses a timed extra period, college football gives each team a chance to score from a set field position, and high school rules can vary by state.
How NFL overtime works
In an NFL regular-season game, a tie after four quarters triggers one overtime period lasting up to 10 minutes. A coin toss decides which team receives the opening kickoff or chooses to kick. The teams switch ends of the field before overtime, as they do at the start of the second and fourth quarters.
The NFL uses a modified sudden-death system. The opening drive matters, but a touchdown is not the only way to end the game:
- If the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown on its first possession, it wins immediately.
- If that team scores a field goal, the other team gets a possession and can tie with a field goal or win with a touchdown.
- If the opening drive ends without a score, the next score by either team wins.
- Once both teams have had a possession, any score wins.
For example, if the opening team kicks a field goal, its opponent has a real chance to answer. A touchdown wins the game; another field goal ties it and sends play into sudden death. If the second team misses a field goal or turns the ball over, the first team can win with its next score.
If the 10-minute period expires while the score is still level, the game ends in a tie. That is why a team may have to balance an aggressive drive with clock management: there may be no second overtime in the regular season.
NFL playoff overtime
Postseason rules are different because playoff games cannot end in a tie. Overtime periods last 15 minutes, and both teams get an opportunity to possess the ball, even if the team with the opening possession scores a touchdown. This rule applies in the playoffs; the regular-season opening-drive touchdown rule still stands.
If the score remains tied after both teams have had their opportunity, the game continues under sudden-death rules: the next score decides it. If another 15-minute period ends with the teams level, they keep playing until a winner emerges. A game-winning field goal is possible, but a long drive can also end with a touchdown or a defensive score.
How college football overtime works
College football takes a different approach. There is no timed overtime period. Instead, teams alternate offensive possessions, usually starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line. A coin toss determines which team chooses whether to play offense or defense first; the other team gets the corresponding choice of end of the field.
Each team gets a possession, and the team that scores more during the paired possessions wins. A drive can end in a touchdown, field goal, turnover, or failed fourth-down attempt. If both teams score the same amount—or neither scores—the process continues into another overtime.
Recent NCAA rules make later overtimes shorter and more direct. In the first overtime, teams begin at the opponent’s 25-yard line. 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 plays rather than running full possessions.
That shift can turn a game into a sequence of high-pressure conversion attempts. A team may need only one successful play to stay alive, but the defense knows exactly what is at stake. Unlike NFL regular-season overtime, NCAA games do not finish tied.
High school and other competitions
High school overtime is not governed by one identical procedure everywhere. Many state associations use a system based on alternating possessions from a set yard line, but the starting position and details can differ. Some leagues also have their own overtime rules. If you are watching a local game, the state or competition’s rulebook is the best guide.
| Competition | Overtime format | Can the game end tied? |
|---|---|---|
| NFL regular season | One period of up to 10 minutes; modified sudden death | Yes, if the score is tied when time expires |
| NFL playoffs | 15-minute periods; both teams get an opportunity to possess the ball | No |
| NCAA college football | Alternating possessions, with later overtimes using two-point plays | No |
| High school | Rules vary by state and competition | Depends on the rules in use |
Why overtime rules affect strategy
The rules shape decisions before and during overtime. In the NFL, a coach who wins the toss may choose to receive, hoping to take advantage of the opening-drive touchdown rule, or choose to kick and give the defense the first chance. Field position, the matchup between the offense and defense, and confidence in the kicking game all matter.
College coaches face a different calculation. Because the ball starts close to scoring range, fourth-down decisions can come quickly. A coach might go for it rather than attempt a long field goal, especially if the opponent has already scored a touchdown. Later in overtime, a two-point attempt can decide whether a team wins or gets another chance.
So when a game is tied after regulation, check the competition first. In the NFL regular season, the clock can run out with a draw. In the playoffs, play continues until there is a winner. In college football, teams trade possessions until one finishes an overtime ahead.
Related Articles
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- How Are Penalties Applied in American Football?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an NFL game end in a tie?
Yes. A regular-season NFL game can end tied if the score is level when the 10-minute overtime period expires. Playoff games continue until one team wins.
Does a touchdown on the first NFL overtime drive always win?
In a regular-season game, a touchdown by the team receiving the opening kickoff ends the game. In the playoffs, the other team still gets an opportunity to possess the ball.
Do both teams get the ball in college overtime?
Generally, each team gets a possession in an overtime round. If the score remains tied, they continue into another round. Beginning in the third overtime, the contest uses alternating two-point plays instead of full drives.
Are high school overtime rules the same everywhere?
No. Many states use alternating possessions, but procedures vary. Check the rules for the state association or competition hosting the game.
Final Thoughts
American football has more than one answer to a tie. NFL regular-season games use a short, clock-based overtime that can still end level; NFL playoff games and college games keep going until there is a winner. Knowing which format you are watching makes every overtime decision—from a kickoff choice to a fourth-down attempt—easier to understand.
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.