34 replies to this topic

[jj42883]

Links to the official, 2012 NFL rules below.  They are expanded quite a bit from the older article that was linked above:

NFL 2012 Overtime Procedures
NFL 2012 Official CaseBook

Rule 16: Overtime Procedures, Article 3, Note 1 states:

If the second team loses possession by an interception or fumble, the down will be permitted to run to its conclusion, but if the second team's possession has legally ended with the fumble recovery or interception, any subsequent action will not affect the outcome of the game. (If the change of possession occurs in the second team's end zone, the score counts.)

Therefore, the play is allowed to continue, but the game is effectively over at the instant that the defender gains control of the ball after a fumble recovery/interception.  So if Team A kicks a field goal, and Team B then throws an interception, it does not matter if the intercepting player falls down, runs out of bounds, tries to run for a TD, fumbles the ball back to the other team (who may or may not return that fumble into the endzone on the same play).  Once the defensive player gains control of the ball, that team has won the game (even through the refs will not whistle the play dead).  The one wrinkle is that if the ball is turned over in the endzone, the score counts, since it occured at the same instant as the change in possesion.  So a team could kick a field goal, then get a turnover in the endzone to win an OT game by 9 points (since there are no extra points in OT).


So to answer the original question:

HaroldTheSecond, on 03 November 2012 - 04:56 AM, said:

Say the Eagles and the Saints go to overtime Monday night.

The score is tied 27-27 after regulation.  The Saints win the toss, drive down and kick a field goal to make it 30-27.

If, on the Eagles' ensuing possession, Vick throws an interception, can the Saints run it back for a TD and officially win 36-27?

If the interception occurs inside the endzone, the game ends and the Saints win 36-27.

If the interception occurs outside the endzone, the game ends and the Saints win 30-27.

[EagleJoe8]

Looks like VaBeach and I were each half right. The play would run its course, but unless the ball is turned over in the endzone, no further scoring would count.

[VaBeach_Eagle]

EagleJoe8, on 15 November 2012 - 05:35 PM, said:

Looks like VaBeach and I were each half right. The play would run its course, but unless the ball is turned over in the endzone, no further scoring would count.

Yeah, and in the case of the rules the way they are, they may as well whistle it dead right away. If there's no point to continuing the play then why risk any possible injuries that might happen by letting the play go on?

So I say they they either go with your thought (from earlier in the thread) or mine, but not a mix of both. Either end the game or let the outcome of the play determine the determine the winner.

Chances are that the rule will never effect the outcome of a game, but they should fix it either way, just in case.

[EagleJoe8]

VaBeach_Eagle, on 15 November 2012 - 06:30 PM, said:

Yeah, and in the case of the rules the way they are, they may as well whistle it dead right away. If there's no point to continuing the play then why risk any possible injuries that might happen by letting the play go on?

So I say they they either go with your thought (from earlier in the thread) or mine, but not a mix of both. Either end the game or let the outcome of the play determine the determine the winner.

Chances are that the rule will never effect the outcome of a game, but they should fix it either way, just in case.

I agree. Since total touchdowns and points scored are parts of the playoff tiebreaker scenerios, (or at least used to be, not sure what the complete list is anymore), then it should play out to it's conclusion.

[jj42883]

EagleJoe8, on 15 November 2012 - 07:05 PM, said:

I agree. Since total touchdowns and points scored are parts of the playoff tiebreaker scenerios, (or at least used to be, not sure what the complete list is anymore), then it should play out to it's conclusion.

Points are still part of several of the tiebreaking prcedures, but not until the 7th tiebreaker... which is behind Strength of Victory & Strength of Schedule and it's near impossible to still be tied at that point. I don't think any tiebreaker has ever gotten that far.

1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss.



And back to the overtime discussion... this whole modified sudden death thing is just completely overcomplicated.  It should either be sudden death or not sudden death.  Go back to the old first-team-scores-wins.  Or just play another set period of time.  Easy & simple.