The previous system was basically a modified sudden death system that gave each team at least one chance to score — with one big exception. If the team that first possessed the ball in overtime scored a touchdown on that drive, that team won. The game was over, with the other offense never getting a chance to take the field in overtime. Now it's basically a modified modified sudden-death system that gives both teams a chance to score. If the first team scores a touchdown, the other team gets a possession to tie (and, therefore, extend) the game with a touchdown of its own.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 09, 2026 03:50 UTC