NFL Overtime

A lot of people have been complaining about the NFL's overtime structure lately. Most recently following the Chargers/Colts game in which the Chargers tied the game, won the overtime coin toss and went right down the field to win the game without allowing MVP Peyton Manning to do anything about it. Today, I give you my resolution to the problem.

Before we begin, let's make sure we understand the problem. Most of the time when an NFL game goes into overtime, the team that wins the coin toss and gets the ball first wins. And usually on the first drive. One of the big arguments is that in winning the toss, a team just needs an average kick return and two or three first downs to get into field goal range. Game over. The other offense does not even get a chance. The popular alternative posed is to use the college football method. This allows each team to start at the other team's twenty five, and try to score. They go back and forth until one team outscores the other. The main argument against this is that at the NFL level a sixty minute football game is physically and emotionally exhausting. To have them continue for a potentially infinite amount of time is beyond reason. Another suggestion is to have them play one additional 15-minute period. Same problem. Supporters of the current system can argue that there are still two teams out on the field and the defense has just as much of a chance to make a stop as the offense has of making it into field goal range.

So my solution then. You can't be letting the outcome of a game depend on a coin toss. I also don't think that college rules will work in the NFL, if for no other reason, that player statistics will be blown out of proportion(When Manning throws six touchdowns in overtime). So, we'll keep the coin toss. But how can we make the decision more important, rather than have it be a no-brainer(take the ball)? Take out the kick-off. A touchback puts you at the twenty yard-line, which is the established spot on the field where the offense can be comfortable that they are not in a hole but still have a long way to go. I say start them out at the 15 yard-line. If the defense comes up with a stop right away, they are practically in field goal range. If not, there is a good chance they will get the ball back anyway, but pinned in their own end. Therefore each team gets the same opportunity. You may think then that this idea favors the defense. But electing to put your defence on the field involves you giving the other team the ball right away, and your offense may never see the field. On the other hand, if you think the team getting the ball still has the advantage--a defense that can not stop an offense from driving fifty yards does not deserve to win.

So there you have it. Have the coin toss and start a team out on their own fifteen yard-line. Solved.