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Clock, timeouts and overtime
12 questions new fans ask, answered in plain English. Each answer links the rulebook or league page it comes from.
- The basics
- Scoring
- Positions
- Penalties and replay
- Clock, timeouts and overtime
- Kickoffs and punts
- The season and standings
- The draft
- Rosters and money
- Watching a game
- Fan etiquette and fun facts
How many timeouts does each team get?
Three per half. Unused first-half timeouts don't carry into the second half.
Source: 2024 NFL Rulebook (NFL Football Operations) - unchanged basics: field, timing, timeouts · Football Terms (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer
What is the two-minute warning?
It's an automatic stoppage when two minutes remain in the second and fourth quarters. It acts like a free timeout. Afterward the play clock is set to 25 seconds, and replay officials review every play.
Source: Football Terms (NFL Football Operations) · NFL Video Rulebook: Play Clock (NFL Football Operations) · NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer
What is the play clock?
It's the countdown for the offense to snap the ball, usually 40 seconds from the end of the previous play. After some stoppages, like a timeout or a change of possession, it starts at 25 seconds instead.
Source: NFL Video Rulebook: Play Clock (NFL Football Operations) · Football Terms (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer
Does the clock stop when a player runs out of bounds?
Briefly. For most of the game, the clock restarts once officials spot the ball and signal ready. After the two-minute warning of the first half, and in the last five minutes of the second half, it stays stopped until the next snap. That's why late-game runners head for the sideline.
Source: 2024 NFL Rulebook (NFL Football Operations) - unchanged basics: field, timing, timeouts · link to this answer
What else stops the clock?
Timeouts, scores, changes of possession, penalties, injuries, replay reviews and the two-minute warning all stop it. An incomplete pass stops it too.
Source: Football Terms (NFL Football Operations) · NFL Video Rulebook: Play Clock (NFL Football Operations) · NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer
What is a 10-second runoff?
After the two-minute warning, if the offense stops a running clock with certain fouls or actions (intentional grounding, for example), 10 seconds come off the clock. The other team can accept the runoff or take the yardage instead.
Source: NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer
How does regular-season overtime work in 2026?
Overtime is one 10-minute period that starts with a coin toss. Since 2025, both teams are guaranteed a possession even if the first team scores a touchdown. If it's still tied after both possessions, the next score wins.
Source: Featured Rules: 2025 rule changes (NFL Football Operations) · NFL overtime regular-season rules change 2025 (AtlantaFalcons.com) · Looking at tweak to kickoff, other rules changes for 2025 season (NFL.com) · link to this answer
Can an NFL game end in a tie?
In the regular season, yes. If neither team is ahead when the 10-minute overtime runs out, the game goes in the books as a tie.
Source: NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · NFL overtime regular-season rules change 2025 (AtlantaFalcons.com) · link to this answer
What about playoff overtime?
Playoff games can't end in a tie. Overtime uses full 15-minute periods, as many as needed. Both teams get a possession, then the next score wins.
Source: NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · Featured Rules: 2025 rule changes (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer
How many timeouts are there in overtime?
In regular-season overtime, each team gets two timeouts.
Source: NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer
Is there an extra point after an overtime touchdown?
Not when the touchdown ends the game. The game is over, so no try is attempted.
Source: NFL Rules Digest (NFL Football Operations) · link to this answer
How long is halftime?
The rulebook sets halftime at 13 minutes. Super Bowl halftimes run longer for the show.
Source: 2024 NFL Rulebook (NFL Football Operations) - unchanged basics: field, timing, timeouts · link to this answer