NFL will consider drastic overtime changes after Eagles proposal

The NFL will at least consider a rule change that would make overtime sessions the same format in the regular season and postseason.When the NFL gathers in West Palm Beach, Fla., beginning at the end of the month for the annual league meeting, it will discuss possible rule changes that include tinkering with the extra period.The Eagles have proposed making regular-season overtime more like playoff overtime.The exact language for the proposed alteration, according to the league: “By Philadelphia; amends Rule 16, Section 1, to align the postseason and regular season overtime rules by granting both teams an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first possession, subject to a 15-minute overtime period in the regular season.”Currently, the team that receives the ball first in overtime of a regular-season game can end the game with a touchdown on the first possession.

In the playoffs, both teams are guaranteed a possession.Additionally, the current rules have limited regular-season overtime to 10 minutes.The proposal would add five extra minutes and thus lower the chances of a tie.For the NFL to adopt this proposal, 75 percent (24) of the owners must approve.It is not the only proposal up for vote with the Packers hoping to get the Tush Push banned and the Lions pushing for changes to the playoff format, which would give wild-card teams with better records than division winners a higher seed....