NFL
NFL Owners Approve Rule Change for OT in Playoffs
Published
4 years agoon
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — It took a few years, and for many fans that probably was too long.
Still, the NFL has heard the cries of “unfair” and has adjusted its overtimes rules.
Only for the postseason, though.
The NFL is changing the sometimes controversial overtime rules to guarantee each side gets the ball in the playoffs.
Concerned that the coin toss to begin the extra period has too much impact on postseason game results, the owners voted Tuesday to permanently approve a proposal presented by the Colts and Eagles.
Beginning this season, if the team possessing the ball first in overtime scores a touchdown on that series, the opponent still gets a possession. In recent seasons, that touchdown would have ended the game.
That second possession of overtime would extend beyond the initial 15-minute period if needed. Should that team tie the game, it then would become sudden death.
In the 2018 season, New England won the AFC title on the first series of OT without Kansas City getting the ball.
When the same thing happened in Kansas City during this January’s divisional game between the Bills and the Chiefs, won by KC, a groundswell became an uproar.
“We always listen to fans,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “What brought this decision was the database and the facts. When you see that, this is an issue in the postseason.”
Rich McKay, the Falcons president and chairman of the competition committee, admitted that Kansas City’s victory over Buffalo was a factor in the balloting by owners. He said that was well beyond the required 24 votes, but would not reveal the exact numbers.
“I think what the stats show is there is a clear issue we can say since the change (in rules) in 2010,” McKay added, “and the problem comes in the postseason.”
Since the previous overtime rule was instituted for the regular season in 2012, the team that wins the coin toss has won the game half of the time (76 of 152 games). However, both teams have had at least one possession in 82% of the games (124 of 152).
Those numbers changed quite a bit in the postseason. Since 2010, when that rule was instituted for the playoffs, seven of the 12 overtime games have been won on an opening possession touchdown, and 10 of 12 have been won by the team that won the coin toss.
“That data was compelling to us and to the league,” McKay said. “An amendment was added (to the original proposal by the Colts and Eagles) to not make a change in the regular season, but in the postseason, where our problem principally lies.”
The Titans had recommended that both teams possess the ball in overtime unless the team receiving the kickoff scores a touchdown and a 2-point conversion. That would end the game. But the owners, perhaps believing the Tennessee suggestion was too gimmicky, went with the other proposal.
Under previous rules, the 10-minute overtime in the regular season only continued if the team getting the ball first failed to score or kicked a field goal. Should the side receiving the kickoff make a field goal, the team that first played defense would get a possession in which it can score a touchdown and win, or kick a field goal and play would continue — if time allowed.
Of course, in the postseason, when there are no ties, overtimes continue until someone has more points.
Goodell concluded the meetings by urging caution regarding the Deshaun Watson situation and the NFL’s investigation. The quarterback, who did not play for Houston last season after 22 women accused him of sexual misconduct, will not be indicted on criminal charges. Now with the Cleveland Browns after a trade, Watson still faces civil lawsuits.
“We’re going to let the facts lead us, find every fact we can,” Goodell said. “At least there is a resolution from the criminal side of it. Our investigation hopefully will have access to more information.”
As for a potential suspension for Watson, Goodell noted that a discipline officer jointly appointed by the league and players’ union would make that determination.
Goodell said if the league discovers a violation in Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’ conduct regarding the integrity of the game, the information would be released publicly. Former Dolphins coach Brian Flores has sued the NFL and three teams (Miami, Denver and the New York Giants), claiming racist hiring practices. Flores also has accused Ross of offering him a bonus to lose games in 2019, something the owner vigorously has denied.
Earlier Tuesday, Carolina coach Matt Rhule voiced his support of a potential change — something that many owners agreed with, if only for the postseason.
“You get a shot, I get a shot,” Rhule said, “and may the best team win.”
Troy Vincent, who oversees NFL football operations, echoed Rhule’s sentiment, saying that football fans have expressed the same opinion.
“The fan wants to see his quarterback touch the ball, and the data drove us to that,” Vincent said.
The owners also approved an anti-tampering rule that prohibits a team seeking an assistant general manager from asking permission for an interview until after the draft. As Vincent explained, someone in personnel for one team who has been involved in draft preparation should not be available for hire by another club until the draft is over.
Once the draft has concluded — this year that is April 30 — the employing team must grant permission for such interviews.
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Jacksonville
Jaguars Lose to the Bills 27-24 in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs
Published
3 months agoon
January 11, 2026By
Mike BrodskyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (13-5) lost to the Buffalo Bills (13-5) 27-24 at EverBank Stadium today in the AFC Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Jaguars finished with nine more victories than last season, but fans are still disappointed that the miracle season has come to an end.
On Jacksonville’s second drive of the game, QB Trevor Lawrence threw a pass intended for WR Parker Washington that was intercepted by Bills LB Shaq Thompson. A couple of plays later, Bills QB Josh Allen was tacked by Jaguars DE Josh Hines-Allen, and Allen went to the Bills’ blue tent to be evaluated for a concussion, but was cleared to return. On the fourth down, K Matt Prater kicked a 50 yard field goal to put the Bills on the board 3-0, which was the score at the end of the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, Trevor Lawrence completed a 3 yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Thomas Jr. and K Cam Little added the extra point, putting the Jaguars ahead 7-3. On the kickoff, the Jaguars benefited from a fumble by Bills RB Ray Davis that LB Devin Lloyd recovered. The Jaguars were on Buffalo’s 9 yard line when Trevor Lawrence tried to dive for a first down on 4th and 2, but came up a little short on the officials’ review. The Bills took possession and ended up scoring on Josh Allen’s two yard touchdown run, followed by Prater’s XP. The Jaguars managed to get into field goal position just before the half, but Cam Little missed a 54 yard field goal that hit the left upright, ending his streak of 20 consecutive field goals made, including a 67 yarder just last week which set the NFL outdoor record. The Bills were up 10-7 at halftime.
Matt Prater kicked a 47 yard field goal on the Bills’ first drive of the third quarter, extending their lead to 13-7. Cam Little redeemed himself with a 43 yard field goal on the Jaguars’ next drive, to narrow the Jags’ deficit to 13-10, which remained the score at the end of the third quarter.
Early in the fourth, Trevor Lawrence found Parker Washington in the end zone for a 6 yard touchdown pass, and after Cam Little’s XP, the Jags were ahead 17-13. But Josh Allen’s 15 yard touchdown pass to TE Dalton Kincaid, followed by Matt Prater’s XP, put the Bills up 20-17. The Jags responded with a 14 yard Lawrence touchdown pass to RB Travis Etienne Jr., and a Little XP, to put the Jaguars ahead 24-20. Josh Allen ran into the end zone for another Bills touchdown, followed by Prater’s XP with just over a minute left in the game, putting the Bills up 27-24. Trevor Lawrence threw a pass that was intercepted by Bills S Cole Bishop, effectively ending the season for the Jaguars.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 207 passing yards and 3 TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 67 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 107 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 70,250.
Today marked the Jaguars’ 17th playoff game in history. With today’s loss, they are now 5-3 in the Wild Card round, and 4-2 at home in the playoffs. Jacksonville beat the Bills in the 1996 AFC Wild Card round to win their first playoff game in franchise history.
The AFC Divisional Playoff schedule will be announced after the completion of this weekend’s playoff games. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) beat the Tennessee Titans (3-14) 41-7 at EverBank Stadium today. With today’s victory, Jacksonville won a 13th game for only the second time in franchise history. Head Coach Liam Coen also became the seventh first-year coach in NFL history to win at least 13 games.
The Titans were the first to score, as rookie QB Cam Ward ran 7 yards for a touchdown, followed by the extra point from K Joey Slye. Ward injured his right shoulder on that play and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, and was replaced by QB Brandon Allen. The Jaguars responded on their next drive, with a 23 yard touchdown pass from QB Trevor Lawrence to WR Parker Washington, followed by the XP from K Cam Little, to tie the game at 7-7, which remained the score at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, WR Brian Thomas Jr. left the game after a defensive pass interference, and was evaluated for a concussion. Fortunately, Thomas cleared concussion protocol and returned later in the game. On the next play, Lawrence completed a 7 yard touchdown pass to TE Brenton Strange, with Little providing the XP. The Titans next drive ended as S Antonio Johnson intercepted a Brandon Allen pass intended for WR Elic Ayomanor, returning it 59 yards for a touchdown, followed by Little’s XP, extending the Jaguars lead to 21-7. Lawrence added another TD pass for 5 yards to TE Quinton Morris, followed by Little’s XP. Little also added a 67 yard field goal as the clock expired heading into halftime, to put the Jaguars ahead 31-7. With those three points, Cam Little also broke the franchise record for most points in a season, which had previously been held by K Mike Hollis with 134 points in 1997.
Late in the third quarter, Cam Little added another field goal, this one for 52 yards, extending the Jaguars lead to 34-7, the only points scored in the quarter.
Early in the 4th quarter, Trevor Lawrence reached more than 4,000 passing yards for the season with a 23 yard pass to Parker Washington. The Jaguars replaced Lawrence with QB Nick Mullens for the remainder of the game, to ensure Trevor would be healthy for the playoffs. Midway through the quarter, Travis Etienne Jr. also surpassed 1400 scrimmage yards for the third season in his career. RB Bhayshul Tuten later added a 5 yard touchdown run, and Little kicked the XP, to put the Jaguars ahead 41-7. After the two minute warning, the Titans attempted, but missed, a 52 yard field goal by Joey Slye. The Jags then ran down the clock to secure their victory.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 255 passing yards and 3 TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 32 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 87 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 66,015.
Trevor Lawrence breaks the franchise record for total touchdowns in a single season. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
Trevor Lawrence also set the Jaguars franchise record for the most single season touchdowns with 38, breaking the previous record of 37 set by Blake Bortles in 2015. Since the beginning of the Jaguars win streak in week 11, Lawrence has led the league with 24 total touchdowns. Lawrence also moved into second place in passing yards in franchise history, exceeding Blake Bortles’ mark of 17,646 yards. First place is held by Mark Brunell with 25,698 yards.
The Jaguars will advance to the AFC Playoffs, which begin next weekend. The schedule will be announced after the completion of week 18 games. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.comfor more.
Jacksonville
Jaguars Down the Jets 48-20 in Jacksonville
Published
4 months agoon
December 14, 2025By
Mike BrodskyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) beat the New York Jets (3-11) 48-20 at EverBank Stadium today. Jets QB Brady Cook made the first start of his career. Cook was the first undrafted rookie QB to start for the Jets in 50 years.
On the first drive of the game, QB Trevor Lawrence found WR Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for a 4 yard touchdown pass, followed by the extra point from Cam Little, giving the Jaguars an early 7-0 lead. The Jaguars second drive ended with a 15 yard touchdown run by Lawrence, followed by another Little XP, to put the Jags up 14-0. But Brady Cook completed his first career TD pass to WR Adonai Mitchell for 9 yards, followed by the XP by K Nick Folk, to put the Jets on the board. At the end of the first quarter, the Jaguars were ahead 14-7.
Early in the second quarter, Trevor Lawrence completed a 16 yard touchdown pass to RB Bhayshul Tuten, and Little added the XP to put the Jags up 21-7. Several minutes later, Jets WR Isaiah Williams appeared to score a touchdown returning Logan Cooke’s punt, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty nullified that TD. Several plays later, the Jets settled for a 41 yard Nick Folk field goal, to narrow the Jets deficit to 21-10. Cam Little added a 33 yard field goal for the Jags shortly before the half, extending their lead to 24-10. Just two downs later, CB Montaric Brown intercepted a Brady Cook pass intended for Adonai Mitchell, and the Jags moved the ball down the field, with Lawrence ultimately hitting RB Travis Etienne Jr. in the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown pass, followed by Little’s XP. This completion put Trevor Lawrence ahead of David Garrard for third place on the Jaguars all-time franchise record for passing TDs with 90. The Jaguars went into halftime up 31-10.
Nick Folk kicked a 51 yard field goal on the Jets’ first drive of the third quarter. The Jaguars responded with another touchdown pass by Lawrence to Etienne, this one for 8 yards. After Little’s XP, the Jaguars led 38-13. This was Travis Etienne Jr.’s 30th touchdown of his career. Late in the third, Cam Little added a 22 yard field goal, which was the 50th of his career, making him the youngest player in NFL history to kick 50 field goals. The Jaguars were up 41-13 at the end of the third quarter.
The Jets scored early in the fourth on a 24 yard touchdown run by RB Isaiah Davis, followed by Folk’s XP, to make the score 41-20. Two plays later, the Jaguars added another Lawrence to Etienne touchdown pass, this time for 45 yards, followed by Little’s XP, extending their lead to 48-20. The Jaguars brought QB Nick Mullen in to relieve Lawrence soon after as a precautionary move. Midway through the fourth, the Jets were threatening to score, but Jags LB Ventrell Miller intercepted a Brady Cook pass intended for WR Allen Lazard in the end zone. Late in the fourth, Brady Cook was once again picked off, this time by S Antonio Johnson. The final score remained 48-20.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 330 passing yards and 5 TDs. Trevor Lawrence also led the Jaguars’ rushing with 51 yards and 1 TD. Travis Etienne Jr. was the leading receiver with 73 yards and 3 TDs. Today’s attendance was 60,815.
Trevor Lawrence reached 3,000 passing yards for the fourth time in his five year career. In Jaguars franchise history, only Mark Brunell has had more such seasons, with five.
The Jaguars have two games on the road against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 21 and the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 28, before returning home for the final game of the season against the Tennessee Titans. That game will be held either Jan. 3 or 4, but the date and time have not yet been confirmed. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.