Seahawks Make Overtime History with Bold 2-Point Call - and It Might Just Change How OT Is Played
For the first time under the NFL’s new overtime rules, we saw a team score a touchdown second and then go for two - and convert. The Seahawks didn’t just make history Thursday night. They made a statement.
Let’s break down why Seattle’s decision was more than just gutsy - it was smart, calculated, and potentially game-changing for how overtime is approached moving forward.
The Setup: New Overtime Rules, New Strategy
Under the current overtime format, both teams are guaranteed a possession - even if the first team scores a touchdown. That’s a big shift from the old sudden-death model, and it opens the door to some fascinating strategy.
Seattle chose to take the ball second in overtime, a move that’s becoming more common in this new era. Why?
Because it gives the second team full knowledge of what’s needed. It also avoids walking into a sudden-death scenario - where one mistake can end the game - and reduces the chance of a tie, which no team wants late in a playoff chase.
On Thursday, the Rams took the ball first in OT and looked like they were back in rhythm after a fourth-quarter lull. They marched down the field and punched in a touchdown - their 581st yard of offense on the night - to go up 36-30.
Seattle answered with a touchdown of its own, making it 36-36. Then came the decision.
The Call: Go for One and Tie, or Go for Two and Win?
With just over three minutes left in overtime, Seattle faced a choice: kick the extra point and tie the game, or go for two and try to win it right there.
The safe play? Take the tie.
That would’ve clinched a playoff spot for the Seahawks. But it also would’ve handed the Rams the head-to-head tiebreaker, thanks to their earlier win over Seattle.
That could’ve been the difference in the NFC West race - and even the No. 1 seed.
The aggressive play? Go for two. Risk it all, but walk off with a win if it works.
Head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t hesitate.
“You’re trying to get into the playoffs,” Macdonald said Friday. “Then do you secure your spot in the playoffs, or do you risk not getting in the playoffs, but the upside is pretty dang high. We chose to go for it.”
And it paid off.
The Bigger Picture: Why Going Second Is a Tactical Advantage
Seattle’s decision to take the ball second wasn’t just about reacting - it was about control. By deferring, they knew exactly what they needed when their possession began.
That’s a huge edge. It also meant they could avoid sudden death, which only happens if both teams score the same number of points on their first drives.
In this case, Seattle knew a touchdown and an extra point would tie. But a touchdown and a two-point conversion?
That would win it. And with the Rams’ offense heating up again, the Seahawks knew they might not get another shot if they gave the ball back.
It’s also worth noting that Seattle’s decision to go for two likely wasn’t made on the fly. It was probably baked into the overtime strategy from the moment they chose to kick off. They were playing for the win - and had the plan ready.
What About the Rams?
Now here’s where things get even more interesting.
If the Seahawks knew what they needed offensively, the Rams also knew what they needed to do defensively. Once Seattle scored, the Rams had one job: stop the two-point try. They couldn’t.
But that raises a new question for future overtime situations: Should teams that score first consider going for two?
A former NFL head coach weighed in on Friday, suggesting it would be rare for the first team to go for two. But in a scenario like Thursday night - with playoff seeding on the line - it might’ve made sense. An eight-point lead would’ve guaranteed at least a tie, and possibly forced the second team to go for two just to stay alive.
It’s unclear if Rams head coach Sean McVay, known for his aggressive fourth-down decisions, even considered it. But after what we saw Thursday, you can bet more coaches will start thinking about it.
What Comes Next
Thursday night gave us the first real look at how the new overtime format can force teams into high-stakes, high-reward decisions. And Seattle’s bold two-point call could be just the beginning.
At some point, a team will score first in overtime and decide to go for two. If they convert, they’ll put the opposing offense in an unprecedented bind: drive the length of the field, score a touchdown, and then convert a two-point play just to tie.
That’s a lot to ask - and it might be enough to tilt the balance of power in future overtime games.
For now, Seattle walks away with a win, a playoff boost, and a little piece of NFL history. And the rest of the league?
They’re officially on notice. Overtime isn’t just about who scores - it’s about who dares.