FAQ
Everything you need to know about halftime possession
Who gets the ball at halftime?▼
The team that wins the coin toss and elects to defer their possession choice gets the ball to start the second half (3rd quarter). If the coin toss winner chooses to receive in the first half, the other team gets the ball at halftime.
What is coin toss deferral?▼
When a team wins the coin toss and defers, they delay their possession choice until halftime. This means the other team will start the game with the ball, but the deferring team gets to choose whether to receive or kick at halftime.
Why do teams defer the coin toss?▼
Teams defer the coin toss to get the ball to start the second half (more momentum) while also allowing the opponent to start with the ball in the first half. This is a strategic decision based on field position and game flow preferences.
How does the coin toss work in the NFL?▼
The coin toss happens before the game. The winning team chooses to either receive, kick, or defer. If they defer, the other team gets the coin toss choice at halftime. The team that wins at halftime can then choose to receive the second-half kickoff or kick off to the opponent.
Is halftime possession important?▼
Yes! Starting the second half with the ball is valuable because it gives your team immediate scoring opportunities while the opponent adjusts at halftime. Teams strategically plan for halftime possession.
How accurate is this tool?▼
Our tool uses real-time data from official NFL sources including the Twitter/X accounts of NFL broadcasters, official team accounts, and sports journalists. We cross-reference multiple sources to ensure accuracy.
Can I share game results?▼
Yes! Each game detail page has a "Share This Result" button where you can share to X (formerly Twitter) or copy the link directly.
What times do games kick off?▼
NFL games typically kick off on Sundays (1:00 PM ET and 4:25 PM ET slots), Monday nights (8:15 PM ET), Thursday nights (8:20 PM ET), and occasional Saturday games during playoffs. Check the game page for specific kickoff times.
How often is the data updated?▼
Game schedules are updated hourly during the NFL season. Coin toss results are detected and displayed in real-time as they become available from official sources.
Does this help with fantasy football?▼
While not a fantasy tool directly, knowing halftime possession can help you understand game flow and scoring patterns, which may inform your fantasy decisions.