Based on the muffed punts tonight. In OT team A is first with the ball and goes 3 & out. Punts the ball. Team B muffs the punt and team A recovers to go on and kick a FG. Does the muffed punt count as a possession for team B and is the game over?
Good one for research. I would say the game is over. Unlike the offense fumbling and the defense letting it slip through its fingers a team relinquishes possession once an unblocked punt occurs or when a blocked punt crosses the line of scrimmage. The ball becomes the receiving team's at that point and it cannot lose it unless they muff it or fumble it no matter where it lands. The only difference is that the muff cannot be advanced unlike a fumble. However, the muff can be recovered because the ball was in the possession of the receiving team once punted. That is my explanation.Based on the muffed punts tonight. In OT team A is first with the ball and goes 3 & out. Punts the ball. Team B muffs the punt and team A recovers to go on and kick a FG. Does the muffed punt count as a possession for team B and is the game over?
If it happens I hope it is in our favor.Here's the NFL definition:
If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal attempt that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team.
The same would apply to an onside kick, since receiving the kick is considered "an opportunity" to possess the football.
That’s very tricky answer.Here's the NFL definition:
If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal attempt that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team.
The same would apply to an onside kick, since receiving the kick is considered "an opportunity" to possess the football.