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Bears Propose Change To NFL Overtime Rules

(CBS) In advance of the NFL's annual meeting next week in Arizona, 23 rule changes have been proposed to the league's competition committee. One of those rule changes was submitted by the Bears.

The Bears' proposal is for both teams to have at least one possession in overtime, per a report from ProFootballTalk.com.

Currently, if the team that receives a kickoff proceeds to score a touchdown, the game is over. If the team that receives the kickoff settles for a field goal, the opponent gets a possession.

You don't have to think too far back for an example of how the Bears' proposal could've been applied.

In the NFC Championship game this past January, the Seattle Seahawks won the coin toss, then went 87 yards in six plays, scoring a touchdown and defeating the Packers, 28-22, en route to their second straight George Halas Trophy.

This proposal has merit and it will be interesting to monitor the outcome.

A more obscure proposal was submitted by the Indianapolis Colts, who requested the possibility of a nine-point touchdown.

Yes, you read that correctly.

The Colts suggest that if a team is successful on a two-point conversion, they should then have the opportunity to gain a "bonus point" by attempting a 50-yard extra point.

Stay tuned next week for information about which proposals gain league-wide consensus.

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