[2] In the 2023 season, the NFL adopted the same rules as college football in regard to awarding touchbacks on kickoffs that end in a fair catch.
In the National Football League, this rule applies regardless of whether possession is gained inside the five-yard line.
As of 2022[update] Shane Lechler is the all-time leader in NFL career punts resulting in a touchback, with 178.
A turn-over by fumble or interception in the defense's goal area that is not advanced back into the field of play, or a kick that touches any part of the goalpost apparatus without subsequently going through the goalposts for a successful field goal results in a scrimmage on the 25-yard line with no points awarded.
A special rule applies in college football and the NFL with regard to field goal attempts.
The purpose of this rule is to discourage low-percentage, long-range field goal attempts and to deemphasize the advantage which can accrue when only one team has a kicker who has a reasonable possibility of success from a great distance.