When it comes to the NFL overtime, it seems like a field goal always has a chance of making the difference. Who doesn’t remember the 2012 season when the Baltimore Ravens pulled ahead in overtime with a field goal? I was glued to my TV and was so excited when that field goal went in, I felt like I had won it!
In fact, field goals can often win an overtime game. Far too often, teams with a one-point lead in the fourth quarter collapse in extra time, allowing the other team to claw their way back with a well-placed field goal. That’s when the opposing team often takes the lead and, you guessed it, goes on to win the game.
But it’s not just the skill of the kickers that can win a game. It’s also the strategy of the coaches. If the opposing team is driving down the field, it’s the good coaching that helps causes the other team to run out of time or simply kick a field goal. It’s the smart decisions that often make the difference in an NFL overtime.
The importance of field goals isn’t lost on anyone, but many don’t understand the importance of the best form of defense: a well-timed timeout. If the other team is on the move, a timeout can slow their drive and force them outside of field goal range, potentially swinging the game in the opposite direction.
So yes, you can win an NFL overtime with a field goal, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to do it. With good coaching and smart play calling, teams can alter the environment and easily swing the game, even in overtime.
Field goals may be impressive to watch, but the behind-the-scenes strategy is often what swings the game. Knowing when to call timeouts, when to do a Hail Mary, and when to attempt a field goal are all huge factors. It takes a combination of skill and strategy to win an NFL overtime.
Good coaching can help an otherwise inexperienced team get a lot farther than they ever imagined. If they can outsmart their opponents with well-timed timeouts, they can force them into a field goal, giving them a good chance of winning the game.
And let’s not forget about the spectrometer. A good defense can be just as important as a good offense. If the defense can slow the opposing team outside of field goal range, then they will confidently know that the win is theirs. It’s fascinating to see how an entire NFL overtime game can be swung with just a few well-timed plays.
So if you’re ever in an NFL overtime, it’s important to keep in mind that you can win with a field goal, but it’s just not the only way. A well-timed timeout or an aggressive defense can certainly go a long way. And that can be the difference between walking off the field as the winner or wishing you had taken the time to come up with a better strategy.