So yesterday had to be one of the most intense NFL overtime games I've ever watched. Matt Webber and his Dad are hardcore New York Giants fans. The Giants are rallying in the fourth quarter and tie the game up with a two point conversion. On a critical thrid down, they stop the Seattle Seahawks and force them to punt the ball back with a minute left. Giants drive into Seahawks territory but miss a Game Winning fieldgoal and the game goes into overtime.

Now, NFL overtime rules are simple. It is sudden death. First person to score wins. The Seahawks win the coin toss and but do little on their drive and punt the ball to the Giants. Giants drive but miss a 40~ yard fieldgoal. Ouch. The air is so intense at the Webber's place. No one is talking besides Reggie. At anytime, the Seahawks could break a play down the field and get within fieldgoal range. It was back and forth with neither offense doing much but the Giants manage a 53 yard fieldgoal try that is short. Seattle would drive and get into Giant's territory dropping passes or stuttering and punt the ball. Seattle would throw strike deep on a 30~ yard pass and kick a fieldgoal with 2:45 left in overtime.

This had to be by far the most intense and emotional overtime game I've watched. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the Giants, the urgency of sudden death brings bigger consequences to each play. The endzone is no longer where the defense makes it's last stand. It's at 35 yards out where a 52 yard fieldgoal could end everything you have worked for up to that point. Every play counts now. Teams aren't waiting for third down to step up the game. Defenses are looking to make a stop before their opponent makes it into their territory. The Offense is scratching for a few yards at a time, knowing they have a shorter field to work with in Overtime.

This is what makes NFL overtime rules so climactic. I love College football's traditions and deep deep rivalrys but lose the sissy overtime rules. Both teams get a chance at the ball in overtime? When was overtime a whole new game? Overtime should be an extension of the regulation period. The teams already had 60 minutes to decide a winner. If you need MORE time because you never got the ball in overtime, you my friend need to play harder in regulation.

If when the game winning field goal goes threw the uprights as regulation expires, would you whine because you didn't have a chance at the ball in the last two minutes? Rarely are games lost solely in the fourth quarter alone. All games are 60 minutes. All games are won or lost in 60 minutes. Every coach goes back and thinks, "if we had converted more third downs" or "if we had won the turnover battle." Can't win the game in 60 minutes? Then it's time to see who can win under the most dire pressure situation.

On another note, I am pleased with that College finally adopted a video replay policy this season. My only gripe is there is NOT an official initiating and watching the replays in the booth. It's a replay "technician." Even though we can all be hard on officials, NO one knows the rules better than the guy with the white hat on. At least let HIM be able to look at the replays himself.