Green Bay Packer, Clay Matthews commented on the NFL’s overtime rule, and that it needs to be changed to the way the NCAA does it. I’m not being a “homer” or suffering from sour grapes after Saturdays overtime loss to the Cardinals in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs, but, I agree with Clay, that the current over time rule needs to be changed… and I’ve been preaching it for years.

It’s very well possible that the rule could be changed. A few years back the NFL tweaked it when they added that a team could not win on a field goal on the first possession of over time, the other team would at least get a chance to tie or beat them.

The college rule seems to be perfect. Kickoffs are eliminated as each team begins its possession on the 25-yard line, which immediately puts that team in field goal range. The coin toss would still have some bearing, because choosing to be on defense would give a team a slight edge. If the first teams ends up with a field goal the opponent with their downs could try to put the ball in the end zone, or force another tie with a field goal. If there is a tie, then, another round from the 25 yard line would begin. So the game basically continues until there is a winner. Talk about exciting! (Imagine what would happen to the over/under in Vegas).

A four or five round over time to advance in the playoffs or WIN a SUPER BOWL? That would be AWESOME!

(photo courtesy of variety)