Along with finally relaxing some of its post-touchdown celebration rules, the NFL also announced this week that it would be shortening overtime from 15 to 10 minutes.
Try to contain your excitement.
RELATED: NFL's New TD Celebration Rules Means You Can Make Snow Angels But Not Twerk
The thinking behind this decision was apparently driven by trying to make the game safer for the athletes. Less overtime minutes could mean less bodies banging into each other and off of the turf.
Tampa Bay Times writer Greg Auman tweeted an interesting list of games that would have ended in a tie last year had this rule been in effect.
2016 NFL overtime games won in final five minutes of OT: Steelers over Browns, Raiders over Bucs, Dolphins over Bills, Chiefs over Broncos.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 23, 2017
What's really intriguing is this:
One more time: If NFL overtime was 10 minutes and not 15, Bucs tie Raiders instead of losing late and on that alone, make playoffs in 2016.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) May 17, 2017
Now to be fair, the Bucs would end up losing a Week 16 contest against 7-8 New Orleans that ultimately dashed its playoff hopes, but Auman still raises an interesting point.
In light of this new NFL overtime rule, I'd like to suggest five alternative ways the league can settle these outcomes ranked from somewhat reasonable to downright ridiculous.
[divider]
If You Can't Stop The Offense, Tough: First Team to Score Wins
Let's bring back the old rule where the first team to score wins the game. No crying about not having an equal chance to go on offense either.
If you want to win the game, stop the other team that won the coin flip. And if you can't even stop the opponent from returning the overtime kickoff for a touchdown, then you really don't deserve to win.
We're looking at you, Detroit.
[divider]
Adopt College Football's Rules
While an option, I'm not a fan of the college football overtime rule that gives each team a shot from the opponent's 25-yard line. After two sudden death periods, teams may no longer kick an extra point and must go for two.
Why don't I like this rule? Because it creates ridiculous 7-overtime, 58-56 scores like this (overtime begins at the 5-minute mark).
[divider]
When in Doubt, Kick it Out
Adopt the soccer-style of ending games with penalty kicks by battling it out via field goals.
That's what Seattle's Russell Wilson thinks the NFL should do.
Let's say we're the away team. We win the coin toss, we get the ball on the 35-yard line going in. You kick one field goal. You can't do anything else but a field goal. You make the field goal, the game's over. If you miss the field goal, the game's over and the other team wins.
[divider]
Hang a Tire from the Goalpost
Each starting QB gets five throws.
Hit the tire: 1 point. Goes through the tire while making contact with it: 2 points. Goes through the tire without touching it whatsoever: 3 points. The highest score wins.
Still tied? One-throw sudden death playoff until one QB nabs more points in a round than his opponent.
This should make Chicago Bears fans very happy.
[divider]
Let the Mascots Duke it Out
By the time of the overtime coin flip, NFL players have been slamming into each other for over three hours. Why not let the mascots figure out the winner with a good 'ol fashion street fight?
This idea makes perfect sense. Similar to how NFL players hone their craft at the college level, these mascots below could be drafted based upon their perceived value.
NFL Mascot Draft 2018 anyone?
