What is the historical percent chance that the team that wins the toss
in NFL overtime games goes on to win the game?

I am looking for a cumulative of overtime history up through the end
of last season.

The NFL has had 325 overtime games since the rule was  adopted in
1974. The results:

Both teams have had possession 235 times (72.3%).
The team that has won the toss has won 169 times (52.0%).
The team that has lost the toss has won 141 times (43.4%).
223 games were decided by a field goal (68.6%).
86 games were decided by a TD (26.5%).
One game was decided by a safety (0.3%).
There have been 15 ties (4.6%).

Source: NFL
http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2002-10-03-overtime_x.htm

Search strategy: NFL statistics overtime

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Request for Answer Clarification by dozor-ga on 16 Nov 2002 10:40 PST

i know that this year has had an inordinate amount of teams winning
tosses winning the game, so as i stated in my question, i want to know
the results up through the end of last season...

can you help?

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Clarification of Answer by nellie_bly-ga on 16 Nov 2002 15:36 PST

I *believe* the figures supplied in the previous answer are through
the end of last season.

However, I may not be able to absolutely verify that until Monday.

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Clarification of Answer by nellie_bly-ga on 18 Nov 2002 10:21 PST

Hi-

I verified with the Pro Football Hall of Fame that the figures posted
in my answer are, indeed, through the end of last season (2001).


This season, 10 of the 13 overtime games (up to 11/06/02) were won by
the coin-flip winner. And six (46%) have closed out the game in the
opening possession.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/martzke/2002-11-06-martzke_x.htm