The "X-Point" Play

At the end of the game if one team is losing by more than 8 points, that team is allowed a single "X-point play", either a final "Hail Mary" pass after their final fourth down (i.e. a "fifth down") or, assuming they have scored a touchdown on the final possession, an "X-point conversion" attempt. In either case, the "X-point play" is worth however many points it takes to tie the game.

Teams that are down by 8 points or less must try to win or tie the game the old fashioned way.