Is NFL overtime the most idiotic overtime strucutre ever devised?

[ChairOne]

Aren't the stats something like: 3/4 times the coin flip winner wins the overtime time?

Sheesh.

[Renew Deal]

1. Your stat is correct.

I don't like it, but it's not the worst thing ever either. 4 on 4 hockey is more idiotic.

[ChairOne]

2. LOL - that's pretty awesome too.....

I just can't stand hockey/soccer...

[tridim]

4. I love overtime hockey!

It's the only sports overtime that raises my adrenaline level.

[Renew Deal]

5. I like overtime hockey too.

I would just prefer it at 5 on 5. I don't see the point of playing the whole game that way and then going 4 on 4. And then if there is a penalty, I think they go 5 on 4. :crazy:

[vpigrad]

3. College is even worse!

The only one I've seen went to six(?) overtimes. It was a huge waste of time. It was Kentucky and Arkansas from a few years ago. I watched it, because a friend of mine was a ref in the game, and it was the first time I was able to see him on TV. I saw him more than I cared to. ;)

[ChairOne]

6. At least it's fair(er)....

Don't they do the first-to-get-two-scores-ahead wins? That's at least fair, tho can take awhile, like in tennis (deuce).

[Longhorn]

7. No, with college, each team gets a chance.

They start on something like the 30 or 35 yardline and they keep the ball as long as they make first downs or until they score. If the first team scores, the second team must meet or beat that score, starting from the same place. They even stay on the same side of the field to save time and keep the conditions equal. If the game is still tied after each team gets the ball, they do it again. I think there is a limit but I'm not sure what it is.

[ChairOne]

9. That's right....

A lil more involved that wut I said..... Thanks!

[vpigrad]

13. It's the 25, and...

the problem is that they usually either just trade a seemingly neverending parade of touchdowns or field goals.

[lazarus]

15. The solution is simple for that

Two solutions, actually.

First solution: Move the starting line back 10 yards for each overtime. First one's at 25, then 35, then 45, etc.

Second solution: You HAVE to go for the two point conversion if you score a TD.

Or do both.

[Longhorn]

16. I think there is a rule that they have to go for 2 if they're still tied

after two chances each? I'm sorry -- I'm really good at remembering just a little bit!

I agree with your solutions.

[Yavin4]

8. Each Team Should Get One Possession

If the first team scores, then the second team should match or better the score on their possession. If they don't, game over.

If the first team doesn't score and second team scores, then game over.

If neither teams scores on their initial possesion, then they play it like it's a regular overtime. First team that scores, wins.

Bottom line is that each team should get at least one possession in overtime. In all other sports, each team gets a chance to score in OT.

[ChairOne]

10. Um, first-team-that-scores-wins is precisely what I didn't like....

... due to the massive unfairness that first-to-score is probablistically related to who-gets-the-ball-first...

It's the unfairness of that structure that gets me...

The way tennis deals with deuce seems perfectly fine to me - even tho it can lead to some long games...

[Yavin4]

24. Football Is A Brutal Game

You cannot expect players to play another full quarter of games.

[ChairOne]

25. Nor did I ask them to..... /eom

[Baclava]

11. Wrong - what loses games is Marty-ball

Wasn't that just wonderful playcalling by the Coach of the Year?

Three runs up the middle, miss a 40-yarder, give up the game-winning drive, and go home.

That's why conservative bullshit turns you into a loser in the playoffs.

[soothsayer]

12. my flag football team worked like this

each team gets a chance to score. If the first team doesn't score, but just makes progress on the field, then the second team has to at least BEAT that progress on the field (or score, of course).

Like college, at least both teams get a chance.

[ChairOne]

14. Interesting idea.... at least it's fair - and also quick... /eom

[nickgutierrez]

17. Actually, I thought it was more like 53%?

I'll look it up.

[ChairOne]

18. I had confirmation on my guesstimate earlier....

But please do look it up and report back.... 53% I could live with - though I'd find it hard to believe...

[nickgutierrez]

19. This is from Nov. 2002, and it does mention a growing disparity...

http://usatoday.com/sports/columnist/martzke/2002-11-06-martzke_x.htm

- Since 1974, teams that won the coin flip have won 52% of the overtimes compared with 43% for teams that lost the coin flip. Another 5% of games ended in ties. Because of the roughly even ratio, the NFL has not altered the system.

- But since 1994, when kickoffs were moved up 5 yards to the 30-yard line, almost one-third (32.6%) of the games have been captured by the team that won the toss and scored on its first possession. That is a considerable jump from the previous 20 seasons at 25.5%.

- This season, 10 of the 13 overtime games were won by the coin-flip winner. And six (46%) have closed out the game in the opening possession.

[ChairOne]

20. Alludes to a valid point...

The effect of winning the coin flip isn't only about the first-chance-to-score business. Alternatively, winning the flip gives you the advantage in the yardage-punt-field-position battle.

[HuckleB]

21. Yes, it's goofy.

Each team should get the ball an even number of times. It's a very simple solution, but the NFL can't seem to see it. Instead, it spends ridiculous amounts of game time with a bizarre and incredibly slow replay system that serves very little purpose in the end. It's a good thing the NFL knows how to market itself, because it sure works hard to ruin a perfectly good game.

[MrSlayer]

22. I'd like it better if you had to score a touchdown to win.

Instead of lining up for the cheesy field goal.

[Bill McBlueState]

23. unlimited overtime

Another good change to the overtime rules would be to do away with the game clock and play until the tie is resolved.

The way it is now, one game every four or five years ends in a tie and messes up the standings. If there were unlimited overtime, you'd never see a tie, and only a tiny fraction of games would last any longer than they already do.

[Lefty48197]

26. College is worse. They don't even play football in overtime.

I'll take a tie over that overtime crap anyday.

[ThorsHammer]

27. NFL OT is idiotic, but trumped by soccer penalty kick shootouts

[DaveinMD]

28. I don't believe that stat is correct

[rinsd]

29. So what? That's what a defense is for.

There are two halves to every team. Offense and Defense. If they don't do the job then that team doesn't deserve to win regardless of which unit takes the field first.

Do you want the college system? Where the coin flip still has a big impact?