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Cowboys-Packers Tie Puts New NFL Overtime Rule Under the Microscope

The 10-minute, guaranteed-possession format is reshaping overtime strategy with a higher risk of ties.

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Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons (1) looks towards Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during a game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, Arlington, Texas.

Overview

  • Dallas and Green Bay finished 40-40 after trading overtime field goals, with Brandon McManus’ kick at 0:00 producing the first walk-off tie since 1973.
  • The NFL this season extended the postseason model to the regular season by guaranteeing each team one overtime possession even after an opening-drive touchdown, while keeping OT at 10 minutes.
  • Strategy shifted on Sunday as the Packers chose to kick after winning the coin toss and the Cowboys took a short field goal from inside the five with 4:40 left in overtime.
  • Team and league sources told Yahoo Sports the guaranteed-possession, 10-minute setup could produce more ties, even as coin-toss winners captured 75% of OT games last season under the prior approach.
  • A proposal to restore a 15-minute overtime was rejected over player-safety and TV-schedule concerns, leaving the league to balance fairness with health and broadcast constraints after its first tie since 2022.