Change the extra time rule, NFL.
ASAP.
Please.
The following time the NFL’s Competitors Committee is in session, the individuals on the panel want to look at the ultimate two minutes of Sunday night time’s epic AFC divisional playoff recreation between the Chiefs and Payments and ask themselves in the event that they had been glad with the result.
They should ask themselves if, after the month’s price of memorable moments the 2 groups created in what was an instant classic, it was truthful that the Payments by no means had an opportunity to the touch the soccer on offense in extra time.
Anybody who solutions “no’’ to that query is both heartless or clueless.
The truth of Kansas City’s 42-36 overtime win over Buffalo at Arrowhead Stadium was this: The Chiefs didn’t as a lot win the sport when Patrick Mahomes linked with Travis Kelce with the walk-off landing cross 4:15 into the additional interval as they did once they received the coin toss earlier than extra time.
A coin toss determined this recreation, as a result of the final quarterback with the ball in his fingers was going to win it.
Everybody in the home knew it.
The Chiefs, who tied the sport with a 49-yard area objective as time expired in regulation after taking on the ball with 13 seconds remaining on their very own 25-yard line, knew it. You could possibly inform by their overly animated elation when Payments quarterback Josh Allen referred to as “tails’’ and the coin got here up “heads.’’
Kansas Metropolis ball.
Recreation over.
The Chiefs knew that may be the one offensive possession of extra time, as a result of they had been going to attain a walk-off landing, and the Payments, too, needed to really feel it within the pit of their collective stomachs.
To the Payments’ credit score, they exited stage overlooked of Kansas Metropolis with class and didn’t complain in regards to the flawed extra time format.
“The principles are what they’re,’’ Payments quarterback Josh Allen, who threw 4 touchdowns within the loss on what was one of many nice postseason performances of all time, stated diplomatically. “I can’t actually complain about it as a result of if it occurred to us, we’d be on the market celebrating like [the Chiefs] did.’’
Honest sufficient.
Now, it’s time for the NFL to make extra time extra truthful within the playoffs, due to the finality of the postseason. Preserve the present extra time rule as it’s for the common season, however modify it within the playoffs so that every staff will get a minimum of one possession no matter whether or not the staff with the ball first scores a landing.
Even essentially the most ardent of Kansas Metropolis followers absolutely really feel the Payments’ ache.
Sarcastically, the Chiefs acquired the quick finish of the stick within the 2018 season the identical manner the Payments did Sunday night time. In Kansas Metropolis’s 34-28 extra time loss to the Patriots within the AFC Championship recreation, New England captain Matthew Slater received the coin toss, the Patriots acquired first possession and scored a landing. Kansas Metropolis by no means touched the ball, ending its season.
After that loss, Kelce, who scored the profitable landing Sunday night time, was vocal about how the extra time construction was unfair.
Beneath the identical format this time, Kelce and the Chiefs had been the beneficiaries.
When it was advised to Kelce again then that every staff must be assured a possession in extra time, he stated, “I feel it’s just a little bit extra truthful.”
He stated he was “undoubtedly in favor of’’ the league amending the rule, including, “Being in that scenario, actually having no rebuttal, it’s type of robust.”
Simply ask the Payments.
“Guys are damage,’’ Payments head coach Sean McDermott stated. “We’re all damage, sick to our stomachs. It stings. It stings. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I do know the followers are dissatisfied and I want I may take that off of them, however I can’t. What doesn’t kill you need to solely make you stronger, and this could make us stronger.’’
The NFL playoffs can be stronger, fairer and higher if the league adjustments the extra time rule.
“All the things that occurs in life is a lesson,’’ Payments security Jordan Poyer stated. “And also you both develop from it or die from it.’’
Hopefully, watching what transpired Sunday night time on this basic recreation that deserved extra, the NFL will be taught a lesson and alter the rule.
ASAP.
Please.
Thanks.
