Overtime in the NFL playoffs: How does it work? New postseason rules explained

The stakes are higher in the postseason, and as such the NFL has amended their overtime rules to fit the occasion.

Many of the same regulations are in place as well as a trio of new rules designed with competitiveness in mind. The previously published rules, which can be found here, provide the framework for how postseason games can be contested in overtime.

The new rules serve to complement the already-established regulations.

Here are the new playoff overtime rules, as published by the NFL:

New NFL playoff overtime rules

• Both teams will have the opportunity to possess the ball in overtime in the postseason
• If the score is tied after each team has possessed the ball, the next score wins
• If the team kicking off to start the overtime period scores a safety on the receiving team's initial possession, the team that kicked off is the winner