The playoffs start this weekend and with the start of the playoffs come new rules regarding overtime play.

Regular-season overtime rules have been in place for years and the first to score any points wins. Well that has changed. Now, if a field goal is made in a teams first possession of overtime, the other team gains possession. If that team scores a touchdown, game over. If it kicks a field goal to tie, then the next team to score wins. The only way the game ends on the first possession is if that team scores a touchdown or if the defense forces a safety or returns a turnover for a score.

Oh LORD!

Here are some other good points of interest coaching staffs are thinking of...

The kicking game

 

» If the team has to punt on its first possession, does the return team double team the gunners? By having additional bodies blocking near where the ball could land, it could increase the risk of the ball touching a player on the return team. If that were to happen, the punting team would regain possession in good field position and possibly win with a field goal since the turnover is considered a possession.

Look for teams to stack the box with eight or nine defenders to force max protection and reduce traffic coming off the edges near the return man, a league source said.

 

On defense

 

» Players could be coached that if they intercept the ball in the end zone on the first possession to take the touchback. Should they return it and fumble in the process, it could give the opposing team possession in field goal range. The fumble of an interception would mean that each team has had a possession and now a field goal wins the game.

 

On offense

 

» Teams who get the ball first could be more aggressive trying to score touchdowns (one of the reasons the rule change was applied), so the other team won't get the ball back.

» If you trail by a field goal and are getting the ball with a chance to tie or win, every possession is a four-down possession, so play-calling on both sides of the ball could be different.

This is going to get ugly I can see it now.

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