NFL overtime rules: Here’s how overtime works in the NFL playoffs

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NFL overtime rules: Here's how overtime works in the NFL playoffs

AFC wild-card predictions: Which teams will advance to divisional round

USA TODAY Sports Chris Bumbaca and Joe Rivera share who they think will make it out of the AFC Wild Card round.

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Editor’s note: See live coverage of the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos AFC divisional playoff game here, and return to USA TODAY for the latest news and analysis after the game.

The NFL playoff bracket began with 14 teams and five weeks to determine this year’s champion at Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara in February. There was always a chance that not every postseason game would be decided in four quarters.

The divisional round is providing NFL fans with their first look at overtime in the 2025 postseason. The Buffalo Bills forced OT against the Denver Broncos with a late field goal by Matt Prater.

This marks the sixth overtime playoff game in the last six seasons.

Here’s what to know about the overtime rules in the NFL playoffs:

NFL playoff overtime rules

If the score is tied after regulation, there’s another coin toss. Here’s what the rules are:

The overtime period is 15 minutes long.
- It is 10 minutes in the regular season.
Each team gets three timeouts per half (two overtime periods).
Each team will have a possession, but the game does not automatically end if the first team scores a touchdown.
- If the score is still tied after each team gets one possession, the next score wins.
- An exception is made if the team that first possesses the ball commits a safety. The kickoff team wins in this scenario, the same as in the regular season.
Extra points are not attempted if the game ends in a touchdown.
All replays are initiated by the replay official and not by the coach’s challenge.