NFL overtime rules: Here's how overtime works in the NFL playoffs

The NFL playoff field is set and there are just 13 games left to determine this year's champion at Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.

The postseason begins with a six-game wild card round. The AFC's No. 5 seed Los Angeles Chargers kick things off on the road against the No. 4 seed Houston Texans. The NFC's No. 5 seed Minnesota Vikings and No. 4 seed Los Angeles Rams wrap up the wild card round on Monday.

Last year's Super Bowl came down to overtime with the Kansas City Chiefs winning 25-22 over the San Francisco 49ers. It was the first overtime postseason game since the 2022 AFC championship game.

There have been five overtime playoff games in the last five seasons. That track record means one postseason game could take more than 60 minutes to decide.

Here's what to know about the overtime rules in the NFL playoffs:

NFL playoff overtime rules

If the score is tied after regulation, there's another coin toss. Here's what the rules are:

• The overtime period is 15 minutes long.

  • It is 10 minutes in the regular season.

• Each team gets three timeouts per half (two overtime periods).

• Each team will have a possession but the game does not automatically end if the first team scores a touchdown.

  • If the score is still tied after each team gets one possession, the next score wins.

  • An exception is made if the team that has the ball first commits a safety. The kickoff team wins in this scenario, the same as in the regular season.

• Extra points are not attempted if the game ends in a touchdown.

• All replays are initiated by the replay official and not by coach's challenge.

NFL playoff schedule

• Wild card round: Saturday, Jan. 11 to Monday, Jan. 13, 2025

• Divisional round: Saturday, Jan. 18 to Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025

• Conference championship: Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025

• Super Bowl: Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL overtime rules: How the format changes for the playoffs