JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars saw second-year kicker Cam Little do more than break out of his slump in Week 9 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. They saw him hit clutch kick after clutch kick, all while making NFL history in the process.

Kickoff first is seemingly the accepted preference for the new NFL overtime rules. But is it really the best strategy?

Cincinnati Bengals receiver and returner Charlie Jones returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown during team's NFL Week 9 loss to the Chicago Bears at Paycor Stadium. It was the second kickoff return for a TD of Jones' career.

The NFL's new overtime rules, which guarantee both teams a possession, have changed most teams' strategies: It used to be that the team winning the coin toss almost always chose to receive the overtime kickoff,

The NFL is reportedly looking into changing one of its more frustrating special teams rules. Since the league decided to adopt the new, XFL-style dynamic kickoff, onside kicks have had to be declared to officials before the trailing team can attempt them — making them essentially a pointless act.

The NFL is pleased with an increase in kickoff returns because of recent rule changes. The league reports 877 returns this season, a rate of 79.3% that is the highest since 2006 through the first seven weeks.

Offseason rule changes are regularly dictated by which way the league office leans on a particular issue. The 2026 offseason may bring legitimate momentum to changing the onside kick.

If it seems like kickoff returns have been a bigger part of the game during the start of the 2025 NFL season, it's because they absolutely have been through the first seven weeks.

The MVP race is wide open, with each member of the "FOX NFL Kickoff" crew picking a different frontrunner for MVP.

The Cincinnati Bengals maintain possession of the ball with an onside kick recovery against the Chicago Bears in the closing minutes.