Definately! I laways said it...

However, the results over the years say its about 50/50... cant figure out why, but I'm almost 100% sure I saw those numbers somewhere... cant rember where.

Marm... I agree with 100%. I think that the college format is far more exciting. However, the split is about 50/50, and I don't see the NFL changing it's format anytime soon.

Originally Posted by mxp2004

Marm... I agree with 100%. I think that the college format is far more exciting. However, the split is about 50/50, and I don't see the NFL changing it's format anytime soon.

Do you remember your source MX? Cant remember mine...

But, both of you mentioned it, the NCAA format is lot more exiting and the NFL should change for it IMHO,

KJ

Here ya go!

Overtime... one last time

At this time last year, many wanted to overhaul the NFL's overtime format. Was it a chronic problem, or a bump in the road?

- Sports Central, 2/2/2004






By Jeff Zaginailoff Sports Central Columnist

At this time last year, we looked at the roiling NFL overtime controversy, and declared it to be a tempest in a teapot. Much ado about nothing. A false alarm. Why? Because the NFL's working model for resolving tied games with sudden death overtime is neither broken, nor unjust. At least, not if one goes by the facts.

Readers might recall that there were all sorts of wild declarations being issued. Terms like "travesty," "disgrace," and "outrage" were getting tossed around (irresponsibly). Based on the hysteria, and mob mentality, one might conclude that some scandal plagued the league.

Readers might also recall that this writer sorted all overtime games into a group of six outcomes, and compared the distribution of those outcomes from the contentious 2002 season versus all other overtime games ever played in NFL history. Yes, it was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it.

Well, it turned out that in 2002, the proportion of games ending in an outcome that could even be construed as unfair had risen. The contention here was that this was an aberration, and nothing to get so worked up about. The numbers were presented and the point was made...

... and the readers responded. Some wanted to see the numbers analyzed for the period beginning in 1994, when the NFL moved the kickoff spot from the 35-yard line to the 30. Some were advancing creative proposals for alternative conduct of overtime. Some were not interested in the facts.

We responded with a follow-up article, addressing the feedback. For the first group of readers, the 1994-2001 analysis was provided. For the second group, several possible alternative OT formats were discussed, and one particularly creative one, sent by a reader, was published. As for the third group, no logical discussion would ever persuade them. They know what they know, regardless of the facts.

So what are these facts?

Well, given the way overtime is setup, with a coin toss and a 15-minute period of regular scrimmage play (including special teams), many people felt that the coin toss was too influential in the outcome of a hard-fought game. The peril is that a team can lose the toss, be forced to kickoff, allow a modest drive by the other team, and lose the game on a field goal, without ever having a chance to have the ball themselves.

And what did we find?

First, in the entire history of the NFL (1920-2001), the percentage of OT games that end in that fashion was only 20%. That's one in five. After hearing all the protests and whining, one would think that 80% had been ending that way.

The number was up in 2002. It was 35%, roughly one in three. That's an increase, to be sure, and a higher level than we'd like to see, but we argued at the time that this was just a blip. Anything can happen in the short-run.

Since we were asked to analyze the 1994-2001 period, we did, and found a 24% occurrence of the "nightmare scenario."

We also promised to revisit the analysis after the 2003 season. So here we are, folks.

Including the playoffs, there were 25 overtime games. Ten (40%, including Green Bay's playoff win) were won by the team that lost the coin toss. Nine (36%, and that includes two playoff games) were won by the team that won the coin toss, but were not won on the first drive. Six (24%) were "nightmare scenarios," and that includes none of the playoff games.

So what do we know?

1) From 1920 to 2001, the percentage of OT games ending in this least preferable way was 20%.

2) From 1994 to 2001, that percentage was 24%.

3) In 2002, it was 35%.

4) In 2003, it was 23%.

That's 20 ... 24 ... 35 ... 23 ....

Is that not a blip?

To make drastic rules changes in reaction to one season's aberration is to panic. Please don't panic.

I have not noticed as much braying and whining about overtime this year. That's because the outcomes have returned to normal. It's because it's not broken, and doesn't need fixing.

Article courtesy of Sports Central

Originally Posted by poker player 100

I like the NFL ot better because there pros. And to me its just more exciting

This is the exact opposite reason of why I love College FooTBall.