What are the overtime rules in the NFL playoffs? We’re here to help.
Just like in the regular season, a coin toss will be held to determine which team possesses the ball first in overtime. Each team will get a chance to possess the ball unless either a touchdown or a safety is scored on the opening possession of overtime.
There are no challenges in overtime, and all replays will be initiated by the officials.
Because the game cannot end in a tie, an overtime game in the playoffs will continue over the course of multiple overtime periods, if needed.
Via NFL.com:
If the score is still tied at the end of an overtime period — or if the second team’s initial possession has not ended — the teams will play another overtime period. Play will continue regardless of how many overtime periods are needed for a winner to be determined. There will be a two-minute intermission between each overtime period. There will not be a halftime intermission after the second period. The captain who lost the first overtime coin toss will either choose to possess the ball or select which goal his team will defend, unless the team that won the coin toss deferred that choice. Each team gets three timeouts during a half. The same timing rules that apply at the end of the second and fourth regulation periods also apply at the end of a second or fourth overtime period. If there is still no winner at the end of a fourth overtime period, there will be another coin toss, and play will continue until a winner is declared.