NFL Overtime Rules 2025- How They Work and Impact Games

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Just in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season, fans were treated to a very exciting game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. The game surprisingly ended in a draw, which is not something we usually see.

The Cowboys scored 40 points along with the Packers who also scored 40, combining for a total of 80 points, on a very high scoring and action packed game. This matchup contained a ton of hype as it was the first time Micah Parsons was going to play against his former team, making this sort of a grudge match for him, and it did not disappoint.

While tensions between Parsons and Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones still prevails, despite getting through with the first game, after the game there was no love lost between the former teammates.

There have only been 30 tie games since 1974 and today we are here to discuss all about the NFL overtime rules. So let’s get right into it.

NFL Overtime Rules 2025

Listed below are all the latest rules for NFL’s overtime ball games, according to NFL’s official website.

Both teams now get a chance to possess the ball despite everything else.

The referee will toss the coin to see which team gets the possession of the ball first. The visiting team’s captain will toss the coin.

Even if the first team scores a touchdown, the other team will get the ball back.

The only way a first possession can end OT games is if there’s a defensive TD or safety.

Overtime remains to be a 10-minute period, and if the game is still tied after 10 minutes, it will be recorded as a draw.

After both teams get the ball, if it’s first tied, it is sudden death. Which means that the next team to score will win the ball game.

If the team doesn’t manage to score a TD or score any points, it could turn into a kick for the win as well.

Each team gets two timeouts

There are no instant replay coach’s challenge. All review will be officiated by the replay official.

The tie between Cowboys and the Packers was the first we’ve seen since 2022, making this a highly unusual game. The Cowboys had their first tie game since 1969 and Green Bay last ended up on a draw in 2018.

NFL Overtime Rules for Playoff Games

Listed below are the rules for the NFL playoff games in 2025, according to NFL’s official website.

The NFL overtime rules similarly to the regular season, allows both teams to have the possession during the OT period, even if the team with the ball first scores a TD.

If the game is tied with the time remaining, the next team to score wins the ball game.

Just like regular season games, OT games in the playoffs are for 10 minutes.

The first possession can end with a winner if the defense makes a pick-6 or makes a tackle in the end-zone for a safety.

If the game is still tied after a overtime period, the winner has to be determined, so there will be another overtime period until there is a clear winner.

Each team will get three timeouts during a half.
Was the Overtime Rules Changes in 2025 and Why?

The overtime rule has been changed slightly for both playoffs and regular season. In 2025, NFL teams approved a rule which gives both teams a chance even if the first team to possess the ball in OT scores a TD. The first possession can only end with a winner if the defense gets a pick-six or makes a tackle in the end zone for a safety.

The rule was implemented so that both teams get a fair chance to possess the ball, even if the first team scores, to determine a clear winner for the game.

What’s the Longest Overtime Game in NFL History?

The NFL’s longest game happened back in 1971, a divisional match between the Chiefs and the Dolphins at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium. The game lasted for 82 minutes and 40 seconds before Garo Yepremian won the game for the Dolphins with a 37-yard field goal.

How Many Games Have Gone to OT This Season?

The Dallas Cowboys vs the Green Bay Packers game is the first one that went to overtime this season, ending with a tie. Last season, six-of-sixteen OT games ended on an opening drive TD. And the teams that won the toss won 75% of the times last season.

#Cowboys offense put on a show vs the #Packers’ No. 3 defense!!! The Cowboys are currently the No. 1-ranked offense in the league, but now the defense needs to step it up. I strongly advise the Cowboys to make some moves on DEFENSE — being ranked 32nd is not sustainable down the… pic.twitter.com/0M35A0XQEY

— Law Nation Sports (@LawsNation) September 29, 2025

This was only the fifth time in since the overtime rule change in 2010, that a game ended in a tie. Making this a very rare occurrence. The first one to happen was back in 2013 when Green Bay and Minnesota traded field goals in a 26-26 tie.

Eric Divakaran

I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.