Should the NFL change OT rules for playoffs and Super Bowl?

[Drew]

I think that they should play one extra quarter or until one team leads by at least 9 points. If tied at end of 5 quarters, not sure. But it seems like though the Patriots earned the win, it would have been good for the Falcons to at least get a chance to keep the game going in OT.

[cyclemax]

The Falcons did have a chance to keep the game going in OT. All they had to do was step up and stop the Patriots from scoring.

[OWC Jamie]

Yes, change the rules during or right after every game to whatever it takes so the Patriots can't win.
Or at least delegitimize those deplorable hard working team effort victory.

[Dennis S]

I think the coin toss winner has a huge advantage.

[pRICE cUBE]

No, the change from a cheap win by getting into FG range was bad but this TD rule makes both teams earn it. You need a balanced team to deal with whatever the coin toss gives you.

[OWC Jamie]

Really ! why bother even playing the game at that point. Just toss the coin and call the game.
Maybe there should be three coin tosses and you have to win two. Or maybe 5 coin tosses.
and the loser of the coin toss should win. Unless it's the Patriots of course.

[Bimwad]

The NFL's overtime rules have always been lame.

They should just adopt the college game's shootout format, which provides plenty of excitement, and gives both teams equal shots, but the pro league would never admit that their rules are inferior.

[btfc]

"The NFL's overtime rules have always been lame"

Exactly.

[Buzz]

NBA = full 5 min overtime period(s); if still tied, rinse & repeat.
MLS = two 15 minute overtime periods; if still tied, best of five shootout, then if still tied, next untied goal wins... but given the modestly paced individual action of soccer (as compared to hockey, which is basically soccer on a smaller field of ice), possession changes rapidly.
MLB = full inning(s) of bonus baseball until someone wins.
NHL = full 20 min overtime period(s) until someone scores... but given the fast paced individual action of hockey, possession changes rapidly.
PGA = mano a mano against the golf course.
PBA = mano a mano against the lanes and pins.
ATP/USTA = minimum of seven point tiebreaker thru Wimbledon's last set play until you win by two games.
NFL = only sport where coin flip winner has an incredible advantage; all other sports afford both teams/players an equal, or much closer to equal chance of scoring/winning.
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[Acer]

Football's full-contact nature is different than most other team sports. Extending regular play is harder on the players than it is for other sports. Maybe extend one full quarter, then if still tied exchange goal-line, 3-down shootouts (touchdowns only) until one side fails to respond.