NFL Overtime Rules: What to Know for the 2025 Season

Regular season overtime is now 10 minutes long.

Each team gets two timeouts during overtime.

All replay reviews are initiated by the booth.

A coin toss determines who gets the ball first, but each team is guaranteed a possession unless a safety is scored on the initial possession.

If the game remains tied after each team has had a possession, the next score wins. If still tied after 10 minutes, the game ends in a tie.

A coin toss determines who receives the ball first.

Each team gets one possession, unless the first possession ends in a defensive score (safety).

If the score is tied after each team's possession, the next score wins.

If no one scores, or the score remains tied after 10 minutes, the game ends in a tie.

Playoff games use 10-minute overtime periods with short breaks in between.

The team that lost the initial coin toss gets to choose possession or field side at the start of each new period.

Standard timing rules for the second and fourth quarters apply to the second and fourth overtime periods.

If the game is still tied after multiple overtimes, a new coin toss is held, and play continues until a winner is determined.

Q: How long is NFL overtime in 2025?

Q: Does each team get a possession in overtime?

Q: What happens if the game is still tied after overtime?

Understand the importance of both offense and defense in the updated overtime format.

Be aware that regular season games can still end in a tie, influencing coaching decisions.

Appreciate the changes made to increase fairness and competitive balance in overtime.

These rules were highlighted in the Eagles vs. Chargers Week 14 game, demonstrating their real-world impact.