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Super Bowl Overtime Explained: The 2026 Rules at a Glance

Since 2022 the league guarantees a possession for each side in playoff overtime to address fairness concerns.

Overview

  • Postseason overtime consists of 15-minute periods with each team guaranteed one possession.
  • A defensive touchdown or a safety on the opening possession ends the game immediately.
  • If the game remains tied after each team has had the ball, the next score wins, with additional 15-minute periods played until a winner emerges.
  • Teams have three timeouts per overtime period, and all replay reviews are initiated by the replay official rather than by coaches.
  • Only two Super Bowls have gone to OT — LI (Patriots over Falcons) and LVIII (Chiefs over 49ers) — and regular-season OT differs by lasting 10 minutes and allowing ties.