Strategic Alternative to NFL’s Coin Flip
The Rams and Bengals are tied at the end of regulation in Super Bowl LVI. Bengals captain and backup quarterback Brandon Allen walks to midfield where he is joined by Rams captain Aaron Donald. Head official Ron Torbert explains the overtime rules.
After completing the explanation, Tolbert turns to Allen, but instead of Allen being asked to a call a coin flip like he did against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship, Tolbert asks, “Would you start a drive from your 25 yard line?”
Allen responds, “Yes.”
Tolbert turns to Donald and asks, “Would you start a drive from your 20 yards line?”
Donald replies, “Yes.”
Tolbert turns back to Allen and asks, “Would you start a drive from your 15 yard line?”
Allen responds, “Yes.”
Tolbert turns back to Donald and asks, “Would you start a drive from your 10 yard line?”
Donald replies, “No.”
Tolbert announces that the Bengals shall possess the ball first in overtime, starting from their own 15 yard line.
Remove Chance and Add Strategy
Following two playoff weeks where games went into overtime, there has been a lot of debate over how the NFL overtime works. In particular, the randomness that a coin flip could prevent a team like the Bills from ever getting an opportunity to posses the ball in overtime.
