NFL redesigned overtime to kill coin toss advantage

The league moved away from sudden death overtime because winning the coin toss gave teams an unfair edge. The new format aims to make the toss irrelevant.

Three overtime games, three toss winners lost

This season has seen three overtime contests. In all three, the team that won the coin toss ended up losing the game.

Saints win toss, lose to Lions in Week 1

New Orleans won the toss and chose to kick. Detroit scored a touchdown on their first drive, then the Saints scored but failed a two-point conversion, losing 31-30.

Jets choose to receive, go three-and-out

Aaron Glenn won the toss in Week 2 and elected to receive, wanting to control the clock. The Jets went three-and-out, Green Bay scored a field goal, and New York lost 20-17.

“Jets coach Aaron Glenn said he wanted to control the clock”

Colts win toss, lose to Chiefs in Week 2

Indianapolis won the toss and chose to kick to avoid giving Patrick Mahomes four downs. Kansas City scored a field goal, the Colts tied it, then the Chiefs won 33-30 with another field goal.

Coaches still split on kick versus receive

There's no consensus among coaches about whether to kick or receive in overtime. Aaron Glenn and Shane Steichen made opposite choices, showing the strategy remains uncertain.

New format is working as designed

The new overtime rules are achieving their goal. Since coaches can't agree on the best strategy, winning the coin toss no longer provides a meaningful advantage.

“And that's as it should be.”