We got our first overtime frame of the 2025 NFL season in Week 2 , when the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys ended regulation tied at 37 after three scoring plays in the final minute. The Giants won the coin toss in overtime and chose to have the second possession. That brought up a question: Should NFL coaches take the ball first or second in OT? We say they should take it first -- but it's a close call and there are arguments for both sides.

From 1974 to 2011, overtime was sudden death, good and proper. First team to score wins. Winning the coin toss and taking the first possession was accordingly always optimal. Even after 2012, when the NFL adjusted the regular-season rules to give the second-possession team a drive after a first-possession field goal, it was still optimal

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