The NFL implemented the new overtime rules prior to the 2012 season, preventing teams from winning with an opening-possession field goal. That was the year they added the provision that the other team would then get a possession.
Said rule, I think, is an improvement. It makes overtime more fair. It stops teams on that first drive from simply stopping drives to hit game-winning field goals, and it gives opponents the opportunity to answer.
This rule, however, also increases the number of ties.
Under the old rules (standard sudden death) there had been only four ties in 22 years. Since the change, there have now been ties three years in a row.
In each of the last two years, the ties were created directly by the new rules. Minnesota and Green Bay both kicked field goals at Lambeau last year. And today in Cincinnati, Mike Nugent put the Bengals ahead, but Graham Gano was able to tie it up.
In the tie between the Rams and 49ers in 2012, the tie wasn’t affected by the overtime rules change. Both David Akers and Greg Zuerlein missed field goals in that overtime.
| TIES IN LAST 25 YEARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | N.Y. Giants 7, at Washington 7 | |
| 1997 | Philadelphia 10, at Baltimore 10 | |
| 2002 | Atlanta 34, at Pittsburgh 34 | |
| 2008 | Philadelphia 13, at Cincinnati 13 | |
| 2012 | St. Louis 24, at San Francisco 24 | |
| 2013 | Minnesota 26, at Green Bay 26 | |
| 2014 | Carolina 37, at Cincinnati 37 | |
—Ian Allan