The Law of Unintended Consequences: OT coin flip & new kickoff rules

[Wolfpack]

Something interesting has been taking place this year, and I haven't seen it get any media attention. You know those people always whining about the overtime rules where "a coin flip determines the winner of the game"? Well those people have been awfully quiet this year - because teams winning the overtime coin flip are 1-4.

The immediate thought is that this is a result of the new rule which moved the kickoffs up 5 yards. It's too small of a sample size to draw any definite conclusions but still noteworthy enough to keep an eye on.

 

[l_j_r]

Re: The Law of Unintended Consequences

... interesting ... seems there's been a lot of positive run backs despite the 5 yard change ...

... if you have the info avail i'd be curious to know what those matchups were ... as you said, small sample size, may just be the lesser teams have been getting the ball first in OT ...












l_j_r

 

[letekro]

Re: The Law of Unintended Consequences

Something interesting has been taking place this year, and I haven't seen it get any media attention. You know those people always whining about the overtime rules where "a coin flip determines the winner of the game"? Well those people have been awfully quiet this year - because teams winning the overtime coin flip are 1-4.

The immediate thought is that this is a result of the new rule which moved the kickoffs up 5 yards. It's too small of a sample size to draw any definite conclusions but still noteworthy enough to keep an eye on.

I know it's not your central point, but it is inherently unfair that a team can lose in OT without having an opportunity to touch the ball. The actual outcomes do not affect that fact.

 

[Wolfpack]

Re: The Law of Unintended Consequences

I know it's not your central point, but it is inherently unfair that a team can lose in OT without having an opportunity to touch the ball. The actual outcomes do not affect that fact.

I agree. Fortunately that has never happened in the history of the NFL because any team that loses in overtime has already had about 10 opportunites (give or take a few) to touch the ball.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Re: The Law of Unintended Consequences

Something interesting has been taking place this year, and I haven't seen it get any media attention. You know those people always whining about the overtime rules where "a coin flip determines the winner of the game"? Well those people have been awfully quiet this year - because teams winning the overtime coin flip are 1-4.

The immediate thought is that this is a result of the new rule which moved the kickoffs up 5 yards. It's too small of a sample size to draw any definite conclusions but still noteworthy enough to keep an eye on.

Yup.

A few years ago, somebody posted some stats (in the Pats usenet group) about the OT results being 50/50 for the coin-flip winner, then started skewing towards the coin-flip winner as the kickoffs were moved back as teams were taking advantage of the shorter fields.

Regards,
Chris

 

[chicowalker]

Re: The Law of Unintended Consequences

I agree. Fortunately that has never happened in the history of the NFL because any team that loses in overtime has already had about 10 opportunites (give or take a few) to touch the ball.

Plus, they have opportunities to touch the ball on defense. Or to stop the other team.

 

[Wolfpack]

I believe the statistic is now 1-6 for teams winning the coin toss in overtime. Yup, the "I hate it when a coin toss determines the winner of a game!" people are awfully quiet this season.