NFL games rarely go beyond regulation, but some matchups stretch time and test limits. Overtime turns each snap into a turning point, where one mistake can end everything.
These games stay remembered because they demand patience, focus, and endurance from both teams.
The longest NFL game lasted 82 minutes and 40 seconds when the Miami Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in a double-overtime playoff on December 25, 1971. That record-setting battle showed how playoff rules allow games to continue until a winner emerges, no matter how long it takes.
This article explores what makes a game qualify as one of the longest. It covers how historic overtime showdowns unfolded and why certain double-overtime playoff games still matter today.
It also looks at recent overtime epics and the players and coaches who shaped these extended battles.
What Constitutes the Longest NFL Games?
The longest NFL games go well past the standard 60 minutes because playoff overtime continues with no preset end. Game length depends on rules, scoring pace, and how evenly teams match up during extra periods.
Understanding Overtime and Double Overtime Rules
NFL games last 60 minutes in regulation. Only playoff games can become the longest games in NFL history because overtime does not stop after one period.
In the regular season, overtime ends after 10 minutes if no team scores. In the postseason, teams play 15-minute periods and keep going until a winner emerges.
Since rule changes took effect, both teams get at least one possession in playoff overtime, even if the first team scores a touchdown. This setup often leads to double overtime when defenses hold firm.
Several of the longest NFL games reached two overtime periods. The 1971 Dolphins vs. Chiefs matchup remains the longest NFL game ever played at 82 minutes and 40 seconds.
Factors Leading to Marathon Matches
Close scores drive many of the longest games in NFL history. When teams trade field goals instead of touchdowns, overtime can stretch on.
Strong defenses also matter. Elite pass rushes and tight coverage force punts and missed kicks, which delays scoring.
Weather and field conditions can slow play. Cold, wind, or poor turf reduce offensive efficiency and increase mistakes.
The table below shows common traits seen in the longest NFL games:
| Key Factor | Impact on Game Length |
|---|---|
| Defensive dominance | Fewer touchdowns |
| Field goal attempts | Short scoring drives |
| Even team strength | No quick advantage |
| Playoff pressure | Conservative play calls |
These elements often combine to produce the longest games in NFL history, especially during high-stakes playoff matchups.
Historic Overtime Showdowns
A small number of games pushed past normal limits and forced players to endure extra periods under playoff pressure. Two matchups stand out because they reset expectations for stamina, strategy, and execution.
1971 AFC Divisional Playoff: Dolphins vs. Chiefs
The Christmas Day clash between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs became the longest game in NFL history at 82 minutes and 40 seconds of play. The teams finished regulation tied 24–24 and moved into double overtime at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium.
Running back Ed Podolak carried the Chiefs with 350 all‑purpose yards, a playoff record. Quarterback Len Dawson directed long drives, while defenders Willie Lanier and Bobby Bell fought through exhaustion.
Miami countered with balance and discipline from coach Don Shula. Both kickers missed field goals in the first overtime.
Early in the second, Garo Yepremian redeemed himself with a 37‑yard kick to seal a 27–24 win. The game marked a turning point for Miami’s rise in the 1970s.
Details from the 1971 Dolphins vs. Chiefs marathon show how rare this outcome remains.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Overtimes | 2 |
| Final score | Dolphins 27, Chiefs 24 |
| Notables | Podolak, Yepremian, Don Shula |
1962 AFL Championship: Texans vs. Oilers
The 1962 AFL Championship between the Dallas Texans and Houston Oilers set the endurance standard for pro football at the time. The game stayed scoreless through overtime until Tommy Brooker kicked a short field goal to end it.
Coach Hank Stram relied on quarterback Len Dawson to manage possessions as fatigue spread across both sidelines. Houston’s defense held firm, but missed chances kept the score locked.
The Texans won 20–17 after extended play that pushed total game time past 84 minutes. For decades, this contest stood as the longest major pro football game by clock time.
A breakdown of extended game lengths appears in this overview of longest NFL game durations.
Iconic Double Overtime Playoff Games
These playoff games pushed past regulation and into a second overtime, where single plays decided seasons. Each matchup featured a defining moment, a key player, and a finish that still shapes how fans remember long NFL games.
1986 AFC Divisional: Browns vs. Jets “Marathon by the Lake”
The Browns and Jets played one of the longest playoff games in cold Cleveland conditions. Fans later called it the marathon by the lake because of its length and setting.
Cleveland quarterback Bernie Kosar threw a playoff‑record 64 passes for 489 yards. The Browns erased a 20–10 deficit late in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
The game ended when Mark Moseley kicked a 27‑yard field goal early in the second overtime. Cleveland’s defense mattered just as much, recording nine sacks and wearing down New York.
Key facts:
- Final score: Browns 23, Jets 20
- Ending: Field goal at 2:02 of double overtime
- Covered among notable double overtime playoff games
1977 AFC Divisional: Raiders vs. Colts “Ghost to the Post”
This game became famous for one play, but the full contest stayed tight from start to finish. Oakland and Baltimore traded leads and big plays for more than five quarters.
Quarterback Ken Stabler connected with Dave Casper for three touchdowns. The most famous came on the ghost to the post catch, a deep route that set up the tying score late in regulation.
In the second overtime, Stabler found Casper again for the winning touchdown. The Raiders finished with nearly 500 total yards.
Highlights:
- Final score: Raiders 37, Colts 31
- Deciding play: TD pass 43 seconds into double overtime
- Listed among the longest NFL games of all time
2004 NFC Divisional: Panthers vs. Rams
Carolina and St. Louis ended the game with one snap, but the buildup mattered. Both teams leaned on the pass as the game moved into a second overtime.
On the first play of that period, Jake Delhomme threw a short pass to Steve Smith near midfield. Smith broke free and scored, ending the game instantly.
Smith finished with 163 receiving yards, while Delhomme passed for 290 yards. The sudden finish locked this matchup into NFL history as one of the longest playoff games ever played.
Game details:
- Final score: Panthers 29, Rams 23
- Ending: First play of second overtime
- Featured in historic double overtime playoff finishes
Legendary Recent Overtime Epics
Recent playoff games have produced long overtime battles that tested player endurance and coaching decisions. One matchup stands out for its length, dramatic swing, and lasting impact on postseason history.
2012 AFC Divisional: Ravens vs. Broncos “Mile High Miracle”
The 2012 AFC Divisional game between Baltimore and Denver lasted 76 minutes and 42 seconds, making it one of the longest NFL playoff games ever. Denver controlled much of the second half and led late.
Joe Flacco changed the outcome with a 70-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones in the final minute. Fans still call the play the Mile High Miracle.
The game moved into double overtime after a tied regulation. Justin Tucker kicked a 47-yard field goal in the second overtime to seal a 38–35 win.
Key facts from the game:
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Overtime periods | 2 |
| Final score | Ravens 38, Broncos 35 |
| Game location | Denver |
| Deciding play | Tucker field goal |
Notable Players and Coaches in NFL Overtime History
Several NFL overtime games stand out because of the people involved. Hall of Fame players, steady coaches, and record-setting performances often decided these long games when fatigue set in and mistakes mattered more.
Hall of Famers Who Defined Marathon Matches
The 1971 AFC Divisional Playoff between Miami and Kansas City remains the longest NFL game ever played. It featured Hall of Fame coaches Don Shula and Hank Stram, along with stars like Len Dawson, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Willie Lanier, and Bobby Bell.
Kansas City relied on Dawson’s calm passing and Lanier’s defense to survive deep into double overtime. Miami leaned on Shula’s disciplined approach and Griese’s control of the offense.
Tight end Marv Fleming scored a key touchdown that forced overtime. Kicker Garo Yepremian ended the game with a field goal, sending Miami forward and cementing his place in overtime history.
Record-Breaking Individual Performances
Some overtime games stand out because one player carried the load. In the same 1971 matchup, Ed Podolak produced 350 all-purpose yards, still a playoff record.
His runs and returns kept Kansas City alive through six quarters of football. Other long games featured clutch execution late.
Baltimore’s playoff win in Denver during the 2012 season showed that pattern. Joe Flacco threw deep under pressure, Jacoby Jones made game-changing catches, and Justin Tucker delivered precise kicks to finish drives in extended play.
Earlier eras also saw rare names shine. Tommy Brooker played a role in early overtime history when rules allowed games to stretch far beyond regulation, placing a heavy burden on individual endurance.
Enduring Impact and Legacy of Extended NFL Games
The longest NFL games changed how the league handles overtime and how fans remember playoff drama. These games pushed players, coaches, and rules to their limits.
Rule Changes Prompted by Marathon Games
Long overtime games exposed safety and fairness issues. The league responded with clear limits and updates.
A key example came after the 1971 Dolphins vs. Chiefs double-overtime game, still the longest NFL game ever played. That game lasted 82 minutes and 40 seconds of game time.
Key changes tied to extended games include:
| Change | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Regular-season overtime limits | Reduce player fatigue |
| Modified kickoff rules | Lower injury risk |
| Updated playoff overtime rules | Improve possession fairness |
The NFL later added regular-season overtime in 1974. It also adjusted sudden-death rules to give both teams a chance in some cases.
These steps aimed to balance excitement with player health.
Memorable Moments That Shaped NFL Lore
Extended games produced moments that still define NFL history. Players made plays under extreme fatigue and pressure.
The Christmas Day 1971 Dolphins-Chiefs game remains a landmark. Garo Yepremian kicked the winning field goal in double overtime and ended a game that tested endurance.
History details how that matchup became the NFL’s longest playoff game.
Other long NFL games also left lasting marks. Ed Podolak set an all-purpose yardage record in that same 1971 game.
Later double-overtime contests showed how depth and coaching decisions matter late.
Fans still reference these games when debating toughness and playoff greatness. They serve as a standard for measuring endurance in pro football.
