The CFL rules committee is suggesting a change to prevent tie games in the regular season. If a game is tied after regulation time, a maximum of two overtime rounds will take place with teams starting possessions at the opponent’s 35-yard line. If the score remains tied after these two possessions, the game will be recorded as a tie in the standings.
As per the committee’s proposal, if the score remains even after the initial overtime, the tiebreaker would involve alternating plays from the opposition’s three-yard line until one team scores and the other does not. In CFL playoff games, if a tie persists after regulation, the current procedure involves the two-possession overtime format, with overtime continuing until a clear winner emerges.
Another proposal by the committee focuses on the timing of the final three minutes of a half during a game. It suggests maintaining a 20-second play clock instead of switching to the 35-second clock, which was planned to be implemented this season. These recommendations, according to a league insider requesting anonymity, are pending approval from the CFL’s board of governors and have not been officially announced by the league yet.
CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston is expected to host a teleconference call later on Wednesday to address these proposed changes.