Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrates with fans as he walks off the field after an AFC divisional round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
(Colin E. Braley / Associated Press)
It’s no coincidence that the decision came just weeks after the Bills-Chiefs playoff game.
“In the Buffalo game this year, it was the greatest 20, 30 minutes of football that I’ve ever seen, ever,” Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, chairman of the competition committee, said at the league meetings. “To think that it ended that way definitely brought up the idea of, ‘Hey, is that equitable? Does that work for everybody?’ I have no question that started the discussion.”
Since 2010, there have been 12 playoff games that have gone into overtime, with seven of those decided on the opening possession of the extra period.
“We always listen to the fans, that’s the important thing,” league commissioner Roger Goodell said at the meetings. “We are always looking to improve and I think what really drove the decision was the database, ultimately, and looking at the facts and what’s happened.”
