Three years after the Kansas City Chiefs lost the AFC Championship game to the New England Patriots after being unable to touch the ball in overtime, the NFL has changed overtime rules — but only in the postseason.
On Tuesday, league owners voted to adopt a rule change put forth by the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams would have the opportunity to possess the ball during an overtime game.
Under the previously existing version of Rule 16, the first team to receive a kickoff in overtime (determined by a coin flip) could end the game simply by scoring a touchdown — or by being scored upon during that possession.