Coaches split on overtime strategy in NFL as teams kick or receive
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 12, 2026, 9:11 AM
Last updated Oct 12, 2026

In the NFL's ongoing season, three teams have opted to kick while two have chosen to receive in five overtime games. The latest examples include the Washington Commanders, who elected to kick against the New York Giants and ended in a tie, and the Baltimore Ravens, who chose to receive against the Atlanta Falcons and secured a win. Ravens coach Jesse Minter highlighted his team's research supporting the advantages of receiving. The season's results indicate that winning the coin toss may not significantly influence overtime outcomes, as seen in earlier games where teams that chose to receive ultimately lost.
- •Five overtime games played this season, with varied strategies taken.
- •Ravens beat Falcons after choosing to receive overtime kickoff.
- •Commanders tied with Giants after opting to kick.
- •Coaches remain divided on optimal strategies despite research.
- •Earlier games included losses for teams choosing to receive.
- 9:11 AMYahoo Sports — In 5 overtime games, 3 teams have chosen to kick, 2 have chosen to receive
"There's no consensus among NFL coaches about whether it's better to kick or receive at the start of overtime.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Oct 12, 2026, 10:15 AMAfter saving his father, this Connecticut teen found support from his football family
NFL•Oct 12, 2026, 10:15 AMCam Skattebo, Jayden Daniels commit OT flubs as Giants, Commanders tie
NFL•Oct 12, 2026, 10:12 AMWhat Happened to Michael Penix Jr? Why Falcons QB Is Injured vs. Ravens
NFL•Oct 12, 2026, 10:07 AMJayden Daniels responds to Commanders' costly late-game mistake vs Giants
NFL•Oct 12, 2026, 9:40 AMJalen Hurts refuses to make promises as Philadelphia Eagles’ season takes another turn
NFL•Oct 12, 2026, 9:31 AMJoe Burrow calls Bengals’ Perine ‘Mr. Reliable’ after Dolphins win
