Thoughts on Overtime

So the NFL has decided to adjust its overtime rules.... in the playoffs. Let me rant on that thought for a second. The most popular sport in America wants to change its rules but only in playoff games.... but not in the games leading up to the playoffs, which in a 16 game season, are just as important? You admit to having a problem with your system.... but only want to fix it during the playoffs? So going into week 17, two teams are tied in the standings for the last wildcard spot, and happen to be playing each other, and they go into overtime. The team that wins the toss goes down and kicks a field goal on the first possession, and now they are in the playoffs. The following week, that same team plays in the first round of the postseason, and they go to overtime yet again. This time, they lose the toss, and the other team comes down and kicks a field goal. But wait... NOW you get a chance to get the ball back and go down and win with a touchdown. What a difference a week makes.

So on to the NFL's 'solution' to their overtime problem. I personally like the new rule. It brings more strategy into the game and gives more excitement. Do I think its a perfect fix? Absolutely not. I would rather see them play an abbreviated quarter and play it until the clock hits 0:00. But that would make too much sense.

Imagine if other sports adopted the NFL OT rules, in the regular season.

MLB: Teams play 9 innings and are tied. They flip a coin at home plate and the team that wins the toss scores a run in their first at bat.... game over.

NBA: Who needs a coin flip. Just toss up the ball, and whoever gets possession of it has a chance to end the game right then and there... just go dunk the damn ball.

PBA: (yes, i'm including bowling) Two bowlers are tied... so they flip a coin. First person to strike wins. If the first guy strikes.... Match over. Yeah, that would go over well.

I would like to see that type of tiebreaker in competitive food eating, however. If two or more competitors are tied after the time period, the first one to crap it back out WINS!