Kneel-down calculator: can you run out the clock?

Leading late? Enter the clock, the down and the defense's timeouts to see whether the victory formation ends the game, or whether you still need a first down.

How the math works

• After a kneel the game clock keeps running, and the offense can let the 40-second play clock run down before the next snap.
• Each kneel itself takes about 2 seconds.
• Every defensive timeout stops the clock after a kneel, so the next snap comes with no runoff.
• The two-minute warning stops the clock at 2:00 if you cross it.
• You get as many kneels as you have downs left. If time remains after a 4th-down kneel, the ball goes over on downs.

Rule of thumb: with the defense out of timeouts, a fresh set of downs lets you kneel out roughly 2 minutes; every defensive timeout takes about 40 seconds off that.

Want to practice the other side, where you need to score? Play today's 2 Minute Drill.