Super Bowl overtime rules, explained: How new OT format will work in NFL’s biggest game

More overtime please.

There’s nothing quite like the drama of overtime, with the winner taking it all, and even more so when the games start to mean a little bit more. Only one Super Bowl in NFL history went into overtime: The Patriots won Super Bowl 51 against the Falcons, orchestrated by none other than Thomas Edward Brady.

With the Chiefs and Eagles entering Super Bowl 57 so evenly balanced, there’s a good chance the game could be the second matchup to go into overtime next Sunday.

Not only would that be a second for the Super Bowl, it would be a rarity in recent history. Only 12 games have gone into overtime since 2010, but none are yet to be played under the new OT rules introduced ahead of the 2022 season.

MORE: Watch Super Bowl 57 Live With fuboTV (Free Trial)

Here’s what you need to know about the Super Bowl 57 overtime rules:

NFL Super Bowl Overtime Rules 2023

Before the 2022 season began, the NFL changed the overtime rules for this year’s playoffs, which of course includes the Super Bowl 57 matchup between the Eagles and the Chiefs.

The move came largely after the thrilling 2022 AFC Division playoff game between the Chiefs and the Bills, in which the Chiefs scored a touchdown on their first possession in overtime.

The owners voted to change the rules this off-season. How OT works for playoff games: including Super Bowl 57 (NFL Rules):

• After a break of no more than three minutes after the end of regular play, an overtime period of 15 minutes begins.
• Both teams must have at least one opportunity to gain possession of the ball during extra timeunless the team kicking off to start overtime scores a safety on the receiving team’s first possession, in which case the kicking team is the winner.
• After each team has had the opportunity to possess the ball, if one team has more points than their opponent, it is the winner.
• If the team which has the ball first does not score on its first possession, or if the result is a tie after each team has had possession, the team which scores the next goal by any method is the winner.
• If the result is still a tie at the end of an overtime period – or if the second team’s initial possession has not ended – the teams play another overtime period. Play will continue regardless of how many overtimes it takes to determine a winner.
• There is a two-minute break between each overtime. There is no half-time break after the second period.
• The captain who lost the first coin toss in overtime elects to either possess the ball or defend his team’s goal, unless the team that won the coin toss postponed that choice.
• Each team gets three timeouts in a half.
• At the end of a second or fourth overtime, the same timing rules apply as at the end of the second and fourth rule periods.
• If at the end of a fourth overtime there is still no winner, there is another coin toss and play continues until a winner is declared.

The bold part is the most important and biggest change and difference from the regular season and before 2022: Regardless of whether the team receiving the opening kickoff scores a touchdown, the other team is guaranteed possession.

However, the game is over if a safety or defensive touchdown (pick 6, scoop-and-score) is scored.

So if Team A scores a touchdown on their first overtime drive, Team B has an opportunity to play along. If the game is tied after both teams have had possession once, the next result wins.

MORE: NFL overtime history – The 12 playoff games that have gone to OT since 2010

NFL Regular Season Overtime Rules

How the overtime rules work for Regular Season Games:

• At the end of regulation time, the referee tosses a coin to determine which team has possession of the ball first in overtime. The visiting team captain announces the draw.
• A three-minute break is followed by no more than a 10-minute period. Each team must possess the ball or have the opportunity to possess the ball. Exception: When the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown on the opening ball.
• Sudden death play – where the game ends in any outcome (safety, field goal, or touchdown) – continues until a winner is determined.
• Each team gets two timeouts.
• The point after the try is not attempted if the game ends in a touchdown.
• If it is still a tie at the end of overtime, the result of the match will be settled as a tie.
• There are no challenges for Instant Replay Coaches; All reviews will be initiated by the Replay Official.