Overtime Onside Kick Regulations The game is finished if the offense recovers and scores on an onside kick during overtime. During overtime, both sides are usually permitted to have possession. In the preceding example, however, the defense is judged to have had its opportunity. Therefore, the onside kick is legal. If the onside kick is successful, then the receiving team begins the overtime period with the ball at their 35-yard line. If it fails, then the kicking team will receive the ball back at their 20-yard line. The rule was created to even out the advantage that teams possess over each other when playing a single overtime session. Before this rule was put into place, there was no way for either team to win or lose based on luck alone. Since the onside kick gives both teams an equal chance of winning the game, it is a fair way to end it. There has only been one instance in NFL history where an onside kick resulted in a touchdown. The San Diego Chargers were playing the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium on December 16, 2013. With 6 seconds left in regulation time and the score tied at 10-10, Philip Rivers took the snap from center and ran 42 yards for a touchdown. After review, it was determined that his forward progress had stopped before he was touched by Bronco defenders, giving him enough time to set himself and execute the run.