The NFL Should Ditch Its Overtime Drama and Adopt the UFL’s Shootout Style
Week four of the NFL saw the Cowboys versus the Packers game end in a 40- 40 tie. In the high-stakes world of professional football, nothing deflates the excitement of a hard-fought game quite like a tie—or worse, an overtime decided more by luck than skill. Imagine this: The final seconds of regulation, the score is knotted, and fans are on the edge of their seats. Then, overtime kicks in, and instead of a thrilling climax, we’re treated to a slog that might end in a draw or hinge on a coin toss.
This is the NFL’s reality, and it’s time for change. Enter the United Football League (UFL), whose innovative overtime rules always deliver decisive, fair, and electrifying endings. To prevent playing games with no purpose or winners, the NFL should consider borrowing from the UFL’s rulebook and take a hard look at its overtime procedures.
A Side-by-Side Comparison: UFL vs. NFL Overtime
Let’s break down the key differences to understand why the UFL edges out the NFL. The UFL’s system is a streamlined shootout that guarantees action without dragging on, while the NFL’s feels like an extension of regulation.
The UFL’s approach, detailed in its 2025 Official Playing Rules, transforms overtime into a high-pressure skills competition. Teams alternate plays from the 5-yard line, focusing purely on execution in the red zone. Defensive fouls on unsuccessful tries grant a retry from the 1-yard line, while offensive fouls cancel scores—adding layers of strategy without unnecessary complexity.
Why the UFL’s Rules Are Superior: Excitement, Fairness, and Player Safety
Let’s be honest: The NFL’s overtime has improved since the days of pure sudden death, when the first team to score after the coin flip won. The 2025 updates aligned regular-season rules more closely with the playoffs by guaranteeing both teams a possession even after a first-drive touchdown. Yet, regular-season games can still end in ties, leaving fans feeling robbed after four quarters of battle, just like Sunday’s game between the Cowboys and the Packers. Postseason OT avoids ties but can turn into marathons, increasing injury risks as exhausted players slog through extra periods.
The UFL, on the other hand, eliminates ties—for both regular season and playoffs—ensuring every game has a clear winner. This shootout format is a fan favorite, drawing comparisons to college football’s overtime thrills or even NHL shootouts. It’s quick, decisive, and minimizes the role of chance. No more coin toss controversies; the home team picks the order, emphasizing coaching decisions and player performance. From an excitement standpoint, the UFL delivers pure drama. Each attempt is a do-or-die red-zone battle, showcasing quarterbacks, receivers, and defenses in clutch moments.
Player safety is another win for the UFL. Limiting overtime to a handful of plays rather than full drives reduces physical wear and tear—crucial in a sport grappling with injury concerns. In contrast, NFL overtimes can extend games by 10-20 minutes or more, amplifying fatigue and collision risks.
Real-World Proof: The UFL’s Edge in Action
Look no further than recent spring league games for evidence. The UFL’s predecessor leagues (like the XFL and USFL) used similar shootouts, leading to memorable finishes that kept viewers glued to their screens. For instance, college football’s multi-overtime epics—like the 2018 Texas A&M 74-72 OT victory over the then 7th-ranked LSU team. The NFL, meanwhile, has seen its share of OT duds and ties that feel anticlimactic.
If the NFL adopted the UFL’s rules, it could inject fresh energy into games. Imagine Super Bowl overtime decided by a red-zone duel rather than a lengthy drive—pure adrenaline for fans and broadcasters alike.
Time for the NFL to Evolve
The NFL has a history of borrowing from alternative leagues, from two-point conversions to instant replay. Why not overtime? The UFL’s system is proven, fan-approved, and aligns with modern demands for faster, fairer sports entertainment. By scrapping ties and coin-toss luck, the NFL could elevate its product, reduce player risks, and deliver the decisive endings fans crave.