I don't know anything about NFL but a quick google taught me...

An NFL game lasts for an average of about three hours and 12 minutes. While the actual game time is 60 minutes (divided into four 15-minute quarters), it takes much longer due to the game's structure, which includes breaks, halftime, potential overtime, penalties, replay reviews, and commercial breaks.

So there's loads more natural breaks over a far longer period. As you say, it's a very very different construct compared to a footy match.

Posted By: DrDublin, Oct 9, 09:35:03