Can an NFL game end in a tie? Exploring the overtimes rules for the 2022 regular season and playoffs

The NFL has been around for almost a century, and the league has evolved significantly over time. One of the more contentious innovations in the league is the overtime rule, which has had fans, critics, and analysts proposing changes for quite some time. Sometimes, the league listens, and changes are made, while other times, they carry on regardless.

Over the years, the noise has become much louder. Social media has put even more pressure on the league's top brass to make changes to the overtime rules. This became a big deal, and the league's chief decision-makers again buckled. The NFL thus announced a new set of overtime rules for the 2022 season.

Regular season games can end in a tie. These are rare events as the rules of overtime do not encourage a draw, but they do occur every now and then. Obviously, a postseason game cannot end in a tie, so the rules differ slightly.

The 2022 NFL regular season overtime rules allow for ties

The overtime rules for the 2022 season regarding ties can be summarized under two broad categories: the overtime rules regarding ties for the regular season and the overtime rules regarding ties for the postseason.

In the regular season, if the score remains tied following the end of the overtime period, the game's result will be recorded as a tie. Overtime begins with a coin toss, and if the team with the first possession scores a touchdown, they win the game.

If, however, they score a field goal, or do not score at all, the other team gets possession of the ball. If they score a touchdown, they win the game. If after each team's possession the score is tied, the next score wins the game. If no one scores, the game is tied.

The NFL playoff overtime rules differ from the regular season

Obviously, in the postseason, there has to be a winner so there cannot be a tie.

If the score is tied at the end of a the game, overtime ensues. In previous years, the game could be won by the first team scoring a touchdown on the first drive in overtime. This has now been changed, after the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills playoff match in the 2021 season. There was public outcry at the injustice of not having a chance to match an opening drive overtime touchdown, so the rules were adjusted accordingly.

If a touchdown is scored on the first drive, the other team has to respond with a touchdown on their possession, otherwise they lose the game.

If after the 15-minute overtime period (or if the second team’s initial possession has not ended), another overtime period begins. The game will continue, regardless of how many overtime periods are necessary. At the end of the fourth overtime period, there will be another coin toss and play will proceed until there is a winner.

What was the latest NFL game to end as a tie?

The NFL has many regular-season games ending in ties over history. The most recent was the 20-20 tie between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants in Week 13 of the 2022 season.