NFL OT RULES AREN’T “UNFAIR”

If the NFL changed its overtime rules, it wouldn’t bother me. 

Dale Lolley of Steelers Nation Radio makes a good suggestion: Play an entire quarter. If the score is still tied, play sudden death after that. 

If you want to guarantee each team a possession, that’s OK. 

If you want to alternate possessions from the 25-yard line (or wherever) as per college football, that also works. 

But the players won’t approve more snaps unless they get more money. That’s why the regular season added a 17th game. It’s nothing to do with player safety. 

There’s nothing wrong with the NFL’s current system for overtime, even if Buffalo and quarterback Josh Allen never got the ball in OT when the Bills lost at Kansas City this past Sunday. 

Saying it isn’t “fair” is erroneous. The teams know the format. There aren't any surprises. Nobody pulls a fast one. 

The Bills didn’t lose just because Kansas City won the coin toss that preceded overtime. 

The Bills lost because they didn’t squib the kickoff after going ahead with 13 seconds left in regulation; that starts the clock when Kansas City touches the ball. Because they let QB Patrick Mahomes drive the Chiefs 44 yards in 10 seconds to set up the game-tying field goal as the fourth quarter expired. Because their No. 1-ranked defense let KC stroll 75 yards in eight plays once OT started. 

Defense matters, too. You’re allowed to make a stop. 

“Unfortunate” is a word that accurately describes Buffalo’s demise. “Unfair” isn’t.