“Releasing the Script”: Fans in Disbelief as NFL’s Official Announcement Foreshadows Chiefs vs 49ers’ Super Bowl Over-Time

Did the NFL Super Bowl LVIII scriptwriters work overtime? That’s what fans are saying. After delivering a topsy-turvy Super Bowl clash between the Chiefs and 49ers so far, it doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Past halftime into the game, the Chiefs and 49ers landed an equal score, with the clash set to be a shadow of Super Bowl 57 in terms of points. But the latest post on X from the NFL’s operation handle called for early speculations, only to come true later.

The NFL Football Operations released the rules for overtime on X during the Super Bowl game. It stated, “Following an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, an extra period of 15 minutes shall commence.”

The rules further state that both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball at least once during the extra period. That is, unless the team kicking off to start the overtime period scores a safety on the receiving team’s initial possession; in which case the team that kicked off is the winner. Further, after both teams have had an opportunity to possess the ball, if one team has more points than its opponent, that team is the winner.

Additionally, in case the team that possesses the ball first does not score on its initial possession, or if the score is tied post both teams’ possession of the ball, the team that scores first by any means will be the winner. But why did NFL fans do a double-take at the post?

Well, the X post was made to remind fans that the postseason overtime rules differ from regular season rules. But the timing of the post was so peculiar that football fans got suspicious. It was shared about 50 minutes before the game went OT. What did they say?

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Super Bowl LVIII: Fans scrutinize the 7th longest Super Bowl game in NFL’s history!

Several fans had the same opinion about the script for the game being released. With Super Bowl LVIII going a full four quarters and a few seconds away from completing a 15-minute overtime, it lasted for a record 74 minutes and 57 seconds of playtime.

Comments like “Ok we are going to overtime”, “So this was published 50 minutes before the game actually went to OT” and “It’s the 3rd Q and yall releasing the script” were abundant.

The game started well in favor of the 49ers as they took an early lead with 3-0 initially and 10-7 before halftime. It was further substantiated when rookie Jake Moody broke the Super Bowl field goal record by securing 55 yards. However, it was soon shattered by Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Butker who posted 57 yards, announcing that the reigning champions weren’t here to back down. The kicker then led the team to post a tie at 19-19, adding to the speculations of overtime.

The 7th longest game in the history of the NFL indeed headed for overtime, making it the second time ever in the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce came up with a 13-yard completion on a third down. Then, the now- 3-time Super Bowl champ aired it out on a jaw-dropping 25-yard pass to Justin Watson. In the initial minutes of overtime, the Chiefs made a tipped pass to nearly intercept Purdy. This was when the 49ers kicked a field goal for a 22-19 lead.

Mahomes’ 8-yard run came as a game-changer. In the last few seconds, Kelce took the Chiefs inside the 5-yard line and then came a 3-yard pass to Hardman, leading to a game-winning touchdown. The 25-22 overtime game is indeed a reflection of the Chiefs’ legacy and what they stand for.

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