Don't Change the Game

Every time there is a close game decided by overtime other writers can only write about how the current system isn't working and needs to be changed. The latest outcries are coming after the Jets beat the Patriots 34-31 in overtime on Thursday. The arguments are for overtimes to run like they are in college, when both teams get the ball at the other team's 25 yard line and whichever team has the lead after an overtime period wins.

My argument is that the current system is fine and does not need to be fixed. While it does give an advantage to the team that gets the ball first they still have to score. It's a format that was created to help prevent injuries in the extra quarter and establish a winner quickly. Even changing the format so that it becomes a full quarter instead of sudden death wouldn't work because there would be more ties and not as many final outcomes.

This system works. Part of the game is playing defense, and if a team is truly deserving of victory then starting on defense shouldn't prevent the team from achieving that. In the case of the Jets and Patriots this argument is a non-issue. The Patriots have plenty of defensive talent and a defensive-oriented head coach and should be able to stop an offense when called upon. The Jets were just the better team in that game. Don't blame the system every time a team fails to step up when the game is on the line.

11/15/09