Donovan McNabb didn't know that NFL games could end in ties

yahoo ^ | 11.17.08

[Straight Vermonter]

Actually statistically it is the other way around.

[tpanther]

nah, we’ll have our hands full in the buzzard-dome this Sunday! ;)

[Pietro]

"Actually statistically it is the other way around."

So you're saying some of the time both teams get a chance.

[dfwgator]

Even worse . . . How much does it s#ck to have an OT game end when the receiving team runs back the kickoff for a TD!

That happened to my Lions years ago against the Bears on Thanksgiving.

[Alberta's Child]

Understood. But stats matter in a lot of cases when it comes to performance bonuses, comparing players, etc.

I'd hate to see a player set an all-time record for TD passes in a season . . . only to find out that 8 of them came in a couple of OT wins where the team started a bunch of drives on the opponents' 25 or 35 yard line.

[dfwgator]

They should have been going for it on 4th and anything. Now they're done.

Exactly, they punt, and they give away any chance they had of winning, and still had a chance to lose, at least if they make a first down, they pretty much guarantee they won't lose the game, and they still have a chance to win.

[dfwgator]

So you're saying some of the time both teams get a chance.

>

"So you're saying there's a chance?"

[Straight Vermonter]

Actually I was wrong. I heard that on ESPN this morning and assumed they were correct. Here are the actual (but dated) stats:

Total no. of overtime games (1974–2003) 365
Both teams had at least one possession 261 (72 %)
Team won toss and won game 189 (52 %)
Team lost toss and won game 160 (44 %)
Team won toss and drove for winning score 102 (28 %)
Games ending in a tie 15 (5 %)

http://www.maa.org/mathland/mathtrek_11_08_04.html

[InvisibleChurch]

Rollerball had the right idea.

[tpanther]

Agreed.

The only thing I’d change is let them play an overtime period of 7 1/2 minutes. Highest score wins. If it’s playoffs...double OT, triple OT and so on until someone wins. Perhaps diminishing time for each period: 7 1/2 minutes, 5 minutes, then 2 1/2 minutes...

No sudden death.

[SoothingDave]

See my #69. I advocate each team should get at least one possession. If still tied at that point, then sudden death.

But football games should be decided by playing football, not by giving the offense the ball on the 25, unearned.

Defense and field position (not to mention the kicking teams) are a huge part of a football game.

[RayChuang88]

All that love from Philadelphia sports fans just went south with that tied game from yesterday.

[cherry]

I didn’t know.......

[BerniesFriend]

Some may call me old-fashioned..or just recently, legally insane..but I prefer my sudden death to be just that..SUDDEN DEATH..at the end of regulation..the NFL should lower a THUNDERDOME and each team puts in its WEAKEST player..(strongest is too good)..two men enter..one man leaves..

[G L Tirebiter]

each team puts in its WEAKEST player..(strongest is too good)..two men enter..one man leaves..

That's sure to lead to high turnover in the placekicker ranks.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

When I first came to America and was watching Yankee Football in my local boozer the locals told me you couldn’t have a draw (tie) so I don’t reckon he’s alone in being mistaken.