The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enjoyed a strong 2024 season, securing their fourth consecutive division title and fifth straight playoff berth. Despite their successes, the season was not without its challenges, marked by tough losses throughout the year.
The Buccaneers suffered two tough overtime losses on the road in 2024, as their exhausted defense struggled to get off the field, ultimately surrendering game-winning touchdowns. However, that scenario will no longer be possible in 2025. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the league has approved a rule change adopting the playoff overtime format, guaranteeing both teams at least one possession in overtime.
Via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero,
“As expected, NFL owners passed the rule making playoff overtime rules apply to regular season, too. Both teams get to possess the ball. But the rule was amended to make OT 10 minutes, not 15.”
Under the previous rule, both teams had a chance to possess the ball, unless the team that received the overtime kickoff scored a touchdown, in which case the game would immediately end.
That scenario played out twice against the Buccaneers in 2024, as they watched the Falcons in Atlanta and the Chiefs in Kansas City march into the end zone for walk-off touchdowns, leaving Tampa Bay’s offense without a single snap in overtime.
While the new overtime rule provides some relief, it’s hard not to wonder if the Buccaneers’ defense could have made a difference in those games. The October 3 loss to the Falcons, in particular, was a defensive debacle, as Kirk Cousins carved up the Tampa Bay secondary for a staggering 509 passing yards – the most in Atlanta franchise history. Ironically, Cousins struggled mightily against other teams, eventually losing his starting job to rookie Michael Penix, Jr. late in the season.
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There’s an inherent unfairness in a coin toss deciding the outcome of an evenly matched game after 60 minutes of intense competition. Ensuring equal opportunities for both teams is the right approach, and it’s a principle the NFL has already adopted for playoff games, where each team is guaranteed a possession. It’s a welcome move that the league is now extending this fairness to regular-season games as well.
For the Buccaneers to emerge as a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2025, they must address their pass defense vulnerabilities. However, with the new overtime rule in place, they can take comfort in knowing that if they find themselves in another overtime situation, their offense will have a fair chance to redeem their defense and potentially secure a win.
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