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514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

I recently saw an Appalachian State game where App. St. went on a drive which took over 10 minutes (the final play of the drive started 10 minutes and 4 seconds after the initial play of the same drive. It made me wonder the following regarding the NFL overtime rule which states:

No more than one 10-minute period will follow a three-minute intermission.

Each team must possess, or have the opportunity to possess, the ball. The exception: if the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown on the opening possession.

Sudden death play — where the game ends on any score (safety, field goal or touchdown) — continues until a winner is determined.

So, what happens if the team that receives the ball to start OT just runs out the clock, or kicks a FG as time expires in OT? In each case, both teams did not have the opportunity after no TD was scored on the initial ball possession.

Thanks,

Ben

Asked by Ben almost 6 years ago

Hi Ben -Good question. I want to follow up with a friend who is in the NFL, but....

CORRECTION - I WAS WRONG!!

If a team drives the fieldctakingvupbsllvten minutes and then kicks field goal: gsne over. The FG wins it.

What is below is WRONG.

I don't think we have a winner. NFL Rule 16 states:ARTICLE 3. EXTRA PERIODFollowing an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, the extra period shall commence.Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner, or if the team kicking off to start the overtime period scores a safety on the receiving team’s initial possession, in which case the team that kicked off is the winner. I

It seems that if a team tries a field goal, it would not matter - a touchdown was not scored and both teams have not had an opportunity to possess the ball.

519 Votes

If it is a penalty to push, tackle, or otherwise make unnecessary contact with a ball carrier who has gone out of bounds and the play has been declared dead or completed, then why is a penalty not called for the same reason when a touchdown is scored

Asked by Dale about 6 years ago

It is and it should be. But it is, to a degree, judgement. It may be far easier to say runner was going OOB so lay off. Running towards the EZ you're still trying to make a play.

518 Votes

Could you tell me if there was a time when the team trailing at halftime received the 2nd half kickoff...if so, could you tell me what years this rule was in the books?

Asked by sirtop1963!!! almost 7 years ago

I am not aware of that. I tried to do some research but couldn't come up with anything.

517 Votes

Is it legal for a QB to bob his head to get the Def to jump offsides?

Asked by Coach Bruce almost 7 years ago

Hmmm. Maybe.....

An offensive player cannot simulate the start of the play, e.g. a lineman flinching or coming out of a three-point stance. In the normal course of yelling signals, a QB might move his head. Is that simulating the start of the play? Not necessarily. If a QB has bobbed his head throughout the game and no one has moved, we have nothing. But if late(r) in the game he suddenly changes his actions at a critical time (e.g. 3rd and two, driving for the go ahead score) in an attempt to draw the defense, then we have a foul.

514 Votes

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NFL game: Defense jumps offside. Whistle blows, 5-yard penalty is assessed.

Case One: Official says First Down. Can defense ask for a measurement?

Case Two: Official says Third Down. Can offense ask for a measurement?

Asked by James Francis almost 7 years ago

You can request, but it can also be denied if it's obvious that it is - or isn't - the down you cite. Usually the first down is marked on a tick (hash) to simplify the process. You go, in essence, from line to line. A five yard penalty is clear and the next down is clear, too. In that way, you don't have to measure on every close situation.

510 Votes

On 9/15/19 Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook got a penalty for blocking on Stephan Diggs touchdown catch before halftime. THe officials didnt throw a flag. It was during the touchdown review that the officials in New York called it. What?

Asked by Lonny Adkison about 6 years ago

Lots of stuff now can be adjusted via replay. It seems that the replay folks can initiate a penalty (usually an egregious oversight or miss) if it needs to be called. There are similar situations in the college ranks re: targeting, for example.

509 Votes

If a High School QB is hiked the ball in his own end-zone, scrambles out to the one yard line, and is then sacked in the end-zone, is it a safety?

Asked by EJ about 6 years ago

There are a few moving parts in your question. You say he gets out to the one; if he is stopped there and pushed back, then the QB gets forward progress at the one. No safety. If he gets out to the one and the returns on his own to the endzone and then is tackled, he put himself there. That's a safety.

509 Votes

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Football Official

Ask me anything!

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If it is a penalty to push, tackle, or otherwise make unnecessary contact with a ball carrier who has gone out of bounds and the play has been declared dead or completed, then why is a penalty not called for the same reason when a touchdown is scored

Could you tell me if there was a time when the team trailing at halftime received the 2nd half kickoff...if so, could you tell me what years this rule was in the books?

Is it legal for a QB to bob his head to get the Def to jump offsides?

Also on Jobstr...

NFL game: Defense jumps offside. Whistle blows, 5-yard penalty is assessed.

Case One: Official says First Down. Can defense ask for a measurement?

Case Two: Official says Third Down. Can offense ask for a measurement?

On 9/15/19 Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook got a penalty for blocking on Stephan Diggs touchdown catch before halftime. THe officials didnt throw a flag. It was during the touchdown review that the officials in New York called it. What?

If a High School QB is hiked the ball in his own end-zone, scrambles out to the one yard line, and is then sacked in the end-zone, is it a safety?

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

If it is a penalty to push, tackle, or otherwise make unnecessary contact with a ball carrier who has gone out of bounds and the play has been declared dead or completed, then why is a penalty not called for the same reason when a touchdown is scored

Could you tell me if there was a time when the team trailing at halftime received the 2nd half kickoff...if so, could you tell me what years this rule was in the books?

Is it legal for a QB to bob his head to get the Def to jump offsides?

Also on Jobstr...

NFL game: Defense jumps offside. Whistle blows, 5-yard penalty is assessed. Case One: Official says First Down. Can defense ask for a measurement?Case Two: Official says Third Down. Can offense ask for a measurement?

On 9/15/19 Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook got a penalty for blocking on Stephan Diggs touchdown catch before halftime. THe officials didnt throw a flag. It was during the touchdown review that the officials in New York called it. What?

If a High School QB is hiked the ball in his own end-zone, scrambles out to the one yard line, and is then sacked in the end-zone, is it a safety?

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NFL game: Defense jumps offside. Whistle blows, 5-yard penalty is assessed.

Case One: Official says First Down. Can defense ask for a measurement?

Case Two: Official says Third Down. Can offense ask for a measurement?