A tied score at the end of the fourth quarter doesn’t always mean the same thing in American football. In an NFL regular-season game, teams can play overtime and still finish even. In college football, they keep going until one team wins. The rules also change in the playoffs, so the answer depends on the league and the stakes.
What happens when a game is tied?
If the score is level when regulation ends, the game goes to overtime where the competition’s rules provide for it. Overtime gives teams additional chances to score, but it is not always a guarantee of a winner. The NFL can record a tie after a regular-season game; college football does not.
Overtime is not quite the same as starting another quarter. Teams use a coin toss to determine who gets the first opportunity with the ball, and the rules govern how long the extra period lasts and whether both offenses get a chance to possess it.
NFL overtime rules
Regular-season games
NFL regular-season overtime lasts up to 10 minutes. Under the current rules, both teams get an opportunity to possess the ball, even if the team that receives the kickoff first scores a touchdown. That is a change from the familiar sudden-death setup, under which an opening-drive touchdown could end the game immediately.
After each team has had its opportunity, the game continues under sudden-death rules if the score is still tied: the next score wins. If neither team breaks the tie before the 10-minute period expires, the game ends in a tie. The same can happen if both teams score the same amount on their first opportunities and no further score comes before time runs out.
For example, if the first team scores a touchdown and the second team answers with a field goal, the first team leads after both have possessed the ball. The next score, if there is one, decides the game. If the second team also scores a touchdown and the score remains level, play continues until someone scores or time expires.
Playoff games
NFL playoff overtime is played in 15-minute periods, and games cannot end in a tie. Both teams get an opportunity to possess the ball, even if the first team scores a touchdown. If the score remains tied after both have had a chance, play continues under sudden-death rules. If an overtime period ends with the score level, another period begins.
That difference matters late in a close game. In the regular season, a team might protect a tie as the final seconds run off. In the playoffs, there is no such option: the teams keep playing until there is a winner.
How college football handles a tie
College football uses a different system. If the score is tied after four quarters, each team gets a possession starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line. Teams alternate possessions until one outscores the other in a round. There is no overtime clock counting down toward a tie, although the play clock and ordinary rules still apply.
Early overtime rounds resemble short goal-to-go drives. A team can run or pass to score a touchdown, kick a field goal, or turn the ball over. The other team then gets its corresponding possession. If one team scores more in the round, it wins.
To limit the length of games, the rules change in later rounds. Beginning in the second overtime, teams that score a touchdown must try for a two-point conversion. Starting in the third overtime, teams alternate two-point plays rather than running full possessions from the 25-yard line. If neither side succeeds more often, they continue with another round.
So a college game tied after regulation cannot finish as a draw: the teams keep alternating until one comes out ahead.
Quick comparison
| Situation | Overtime format | Can the game end tied? |
|---|---|---|
| NFL regular season | One overtime period of up to 10 minutes; both teams get an opportunity to possess the ball | Yes, if time expires with the score level |
| NFL playoffs | 15-minute periods; both teams get an opportunity, with further play if needed | No |
| College football | Alternating possessions from the opponent’s 25-yard line, with special rules in later rounds | No |
What does a tie mean in the NFL standings?
An NFL tie counts as half a win and half a loss when calculating a team’s winning percentage. For example, a record of 9 wins, 7 losses, and 1 tie has a winning percentage of .559: the tie contributes half a win, so the calculation is 9.5 wins divided by 17 games.
Ties can also matter in tiebreakers for playoff places. The NFL applies a set order of criteria, which can include head-to-head results, division or conference records, and other measures. A tie does not count as a full win for either team, but it can still affect where each stands.
Why are NFL ties uncommon?
Overtime makes ties less likely, and teams often play aggressively when a win is within reach. Still, the 10-minute limit in regular-season overtime leaves open the possibility that neither team can find a decisive score. A defensive stop, a missed field goal, or a possession that takes too much time can all help preserve a tie.
Before the NFL introduced regular-season overtime in 1974, games tied after regulation simply stayed tied. Today’s overtime rules have changed over time, but the basic distinction remains: a regular-season game can end even, while a playoff game must produce a winner.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can an NFL game end in a tie?
Yes. A regular-season NFL game can end in a tie if the score is level when the 10-minute overtime period expires. NFL playoff games cannot end in a tie.
Does the team that gets the ball first win if it scores a touchdown?
Not automatically under the current NFL rules. The other team gets an opportunity to possess the ball, even if the opening team scores a touchdown. The result then depends on the score and what happens next.
Can a college football game end in a tie?
No. Tied college games go to overtime, with teams alternating possessions until one outscores the other in a round.
How much is an NFL tie worth in the standings?
It counts as half a win and half a loss in winning-percentage calculations. A tie can also factor into playoff tiebreakers.
Final Thoughts
When a football game is tied after regulation, check the competition before assuming the teams will play until someone wins. College football and the NFL playoffs require a winner. In an NFL regular-season game, both teams get an overtime opportunity, but the clock can still run out with the score even.
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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