In the playoff structure of the league, games cannot result in a tie, which marks a significant difference from the regular season rules. When a matchup concludes in a tie after the regulation four quarters, the game will proceed to overtime, which consists of as many 15-minute periods as necessary to determine a winner.
Each team will receive one possession during the overtime period. This means that regardless of whether the team that receives the ball first scores, the opposing team will also have a chance to possess the ball. If the first team fails to score or both teams have already had their possession, the next team to score will claim victory.
Moreover, if the initial team that has possession commits a safety, the game will end with the opposing team as the winner. Unlike the regulation parts of the game, coaches are unable to challenge plays during overtime, as all reviews are handled by the replay official.
The break between the end of regulation and the beginning of the first overtime is capped at three minutes. Following that, there is a two-minute intermission, and it’s worth noting that unlike regulation play, there is no halftime following the second overtime period. These rules ensure a clear and fair resolution to the playoff matchups, emphasizing the urgency and importance of scoring.