This article explains, in plain terms, who receives the 2nd half kickoff in NFL games and why that outcome matters for fans, analysts, and anyone modeling possession. It focuses on the coin toss mechanics, the meaning of deferral, the rare scenario where a team can receive both halves, and how halftime fouls affect enforcement. The goal is practical clarity: you should finish the article able to identify the team entitled to receive the third-quarter kickoff by checking the announced toss choices and to understand how penalties, if any, will be applied at the start of the second half.

Entitlement to the second half kickoff is set by the coin toss choices, not by score or halftime adjustments.

Deferring at the toss gives a team the first choice at the start of the second half.

Halftime dead-ball fouls can change kickoff yardage but do not swap possession entitlement.

2nd half nfl lines: quick answer and why it matters

The plain answer is that entitlement to the second half kickoff is decided at the pregame coin toss: whichever team has the choice at the start of the second half will receive the free kick, and that choice follows the toss procedures outlined in the official rule materials, not any in-game score or momentum considerations 2026 NFL Rulebook.

Understanding who receives the kickoff to begin the third quarter matters for game strategy and for anyone tracking possession-based projections. The key term to watch at the toss is deferral, because a deferral gives the coin-toss winner the first choice for the second half; if the toss winner does not defer, the opponent gets the second-half choice and will commonly elect to receive NFL Video Rulebook: Coin Toss.

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For clarity: the second half always starts with a free kick, and the coin-toss choices determine which team is entitled to receive that kick at the opening of the third quarter NFL Video Rulebook: Kickoff.

How the pregame coin toss decides 2nd half possession

At the coin toss the winning captain has four recognized options: receive, kick, defend a goal, or defer. Each option has a defined effect on the immediate first-half kickoff and on which team will have the first choice to start the second half; that sequence is described in the official rule materials 2026 NFL Rulebook.

Choosing to defer means the toss winner gives the opponent the option to start with the opening kickoff in the first half and retains the right to choose how to start the second half. In practice, a team that defers is effectively electing to have the first choice of receiving or kicking at the start of the third quarter, which is why many teams prefer that option NFL Video Rulebook: Coin Toss.

If the toss winner makes an immediate first-half choice instead of deferring, for example choosing to defend a goal, the opponent receives the second-half choice. In that case the opponent normally elects to receive the kickoff to begin the third quarter, because possession at the start of a half is control information that teams value for both offensive planning and analytics 2026 NFL Rulebook.

Who receives the kickoff to start the second half? Step-by-step

Step 1: Identify the toss result and the winner's declared option at the pregame coin toss. If the toss winner explicitly deferred, they hold the first choice at the start of the second half and so will decide whether to receive the free kick at that time NFL Video Rulebook: Coin Toss.

Who receives the 2nd half kickoff in an NFL game?

The team that has the choice at the start of the second half, as determined by the pregame coin toss and any declared deferral, receives the kickoff; halftime penalties can affect yardage but not entitlement.

Step 2: If the toss winner did not defer and instead chose to receive, kick, or defend a goal for the first half, then the opponent has the second-half choice and will usually elect to receive the kickoff at the start of the third quarter. The entitlement is procedural and does not change because of halftime adjustments, score, or momentum 2026 NFL Rulebook.

Step 3: On game day, confirm the announced toss result and listen for the referee's public declaration of the choices. That declaration is the authoritative in-game record of which team has the choice for the second half, and it determines who receives the free kick to open the third quarter NFL Video Rulebook: Kickoff.

Edge case: can one team receive both opening kickoffs?

Yes, the rules permit a sequence where the same team receives both the opening kickoff and the second-half kickoff. This happens when the toss winner elects not to defer and instead selects an option such as defending a goal, which leaves the opponent free to choose to receive to start both halves; while legal, the outcome is uncommon in practice Can a team receive the kick to start both halves?.

Most teams prefer to defer because it gives the strategic flexibility to take the ball to start the second half, but coaches may make alternative choices based on weather, wind, or situational game planning. The edge-case example is an illustration of the procedural nature of the toss choices rather than a change in tactical rules 2026 NFL Rulebook.

When halftime fouls affect the 2nd half kickoff - penalties and enforcement

Certain dead-ball fouls at or near halftime such as personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct can carry over and be enforced on the ensuing kickoff as yardage; enforcement shifts the kickoff spot or receiving team field position but does not alter which team is entitled to receive the kick, because entitlement is fixed by the toss choices Penalty enforcement and carryover to kickoffs, explained.

When a foul is enforced after the half, officiating mechanics treat the infraction like a dead-ball penalty whose yardage is applied to the free kick series. The enforcement is procedural and may affect field position on the kickoff return but will not convert the receiving team into the kicking team or vice versa 2026 NFL Rulebook.

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For fans and analysts this enforcement detail matters because a halftime personal foul can materially change expected return yardage and starting field position while leaving the formal entitlement to receive unchanged; that distinction is important when modeling possession outcomes or evaluating second-half strategy Penalty enforcement and carryover to kickoffs, explained.

What changed in 2024-2026 kickoff procedure and what did not change

Close up of a referee announcing the coin toss with scoreboard visible in the background in a minimalist Funded Plays palette, authentic stadium lighting, focused moment for 2nd half nfl lines

The 2024 kickoff updates focused on player alignment, formation restrictions, and return mechanics to improve safety and predictability on the play; those adjustments affect how the play is run and officiated but they do not change which team is entitled to the second-half kickoff, which remains determined by the coin-toss choice process NFL adopts new kickoff rule for 2024 season.

To be explicit: changes to alignment, blocking lanes, and return procedures alter the on-field dynamics of kickoff plays but the coin-toss rules and the video and written rulebook language continue to be the controlling sources for entitlement and choice decisions at halftime 2026 NFL Rulebook.

Practical examples: three real-world scenarios using 2nd half nfl lines

Scenario A, toss winner defers: The toss winner chooses to defer at the coin toss. That team gives the opening kickoff to the opponent in the first half and retains the first choice for the second half. At halftime the deferring team will decide whether to receive the free kick to open the third quarter. This is the standard sequence many teams use for strategic reasons NFL Video Rulebook: Coin Toss.

Scenario B, toss winner chooses to defend: The toss winner says they will defend a goal in the first half rather than deferring. That leaves the opponent to decide whether to receive in the first half and, by procedure, to choose to receive again to open the second half, which can result in the same team receiving both kickoffs under the rules Can a team receive the kick to start both halves?.

Quick decision aid to determine who receives the second half

Toss winner
Toss choice
Did toss winner defer
Second-half choice

Use this step list at halftime

Scenario C, end-of-half foul enforced on kickoff: If a dead-ball personal foul is called as the first half ends, that penalty can be enforced on the free kick at the start of the second half as yardage. The enforcement affects where the ball is kicked from or returned to but does not change the team that was entitled to receive the kickoff according to the toss sequence Penalty enforcement and carryover to kickoffs, explained.

Quick checklist readers can use live: 1) Note toss winner and announced choice. 2) If the toss winner deferred, they have the first choice for the second half. 3) If the toss winner did not defer, the opponent has the second-half choice and will usually take receiving. 4) Any halftime dead-ball fouls change yardage on the kickoff but not entitlement 2026 NFL Rulebook.

Common mistakes, referee signals, and how to avoid confusion

Frequent fan misconceptions include believing the trailing team automatically receives the second half, or that halftime strategy can retroactively change the toss outcome. Neither is correct: entitlement is purely procedural and fixed by the toss choices and official announcement NFL Video Rulebook: Coin Toss.

Referees confirm toss outcomes and choices with an on-field announcement and with the official scorekeeper. If a halftime penalty is to be enforced on the kickoff the referee will state the foul and the enforcement spot; listening for and watching those signals removes ambiguity for broadcasters and fans NFL Video Rulebook: Kickoff.

Quick tips for avoiding confusion: 1) Watch or listen to the public referee announcement at the toss. 2) At halftime check the official scorer or broadcast overlay for the declared choices. 3) Remember that penalties carry yardage but do not swap which team receives Penalty enforcement and carryover to kickoffs, explained.

Summary checklist: what fans and officials should remember about 2nd half nfl lines

Top reminders: entitlement to the second half kickoff is set by the coin toss and choices at the start of the game; deferral gives the toss winner the first choice at the start of the second half; halftime dead-ball fouls may be enforced on the kickoff as yardage but do not change entitlement 2026 NFL Rulebook.

For readers who want the precise language and any procedural updates, consult the official NFL Rulebook and the Video Rulebook, which remain the controlling resources for coin toss and kickoff procedure NFL Video Rulebook: Coin Toss.

Who decides who receives the kickoff to start the third quarter?

The pregame coin toss and the choices announced by the toss winner determine which team has the choice to receive at the start of the second half.

Can halftime penalties change which team receives the kickoff?

No, dead-ball fouls at halftime can be enforced as yardage on the kickoff but do not change which team is entitled to receive.

Is it possible for one team to receive both the opening kickoffs?

Yes, if the toss winner does not defer and the opponent elects to receive at both opportunities, one team can legally receive both kickoffs.

If you want the exact procedural language or the most recent adjustments, consult the official NFL Rulebook and the Video Rulebook. Those documents are the authoritative sources for coin-toss choices, kickoff procedure, and penalty enforcement. For fans and analysts, the core takeaway is simple: watch the toss announcement for the definitive answer on who receives the second half kickoff, and use the simple checklists in this article to apply the rule quickly during live games.