The last time the Chargers used the NFL’s vague free kick field goal rule was in 1976.
Is it really Thursday Night Football if there isn’t some kind of extravagance?
However, Thursday’s Denver Broncos-Los Angeles Chargers game featured an event that last happened way back in 1976.
With eight seconds left in the half, with the Broncos leading 21-10, they punted the ball away hoping to run out time and send both teams to the locker room.
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, 11, is congratulated by teammate Josh Harris, 47, after making his fifth field goal of the game against the visiting Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. (Will Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via Getty Images)
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The good news is that the clock has hit zero – the bad news, though, is that Denver was called for a valid interference.
Of course, the half won’t end with a defensive penalty or a flag for the kicking team, so the Chargers had a chance to “punt well” after the penalty went up 15 yards.
Cameron Dicker was able to line up a 57-yard kick without rushing, and not before some confusion on both sides – in fact, the ball didn’t even have to be snapped. Basically, it was as much a practice rep as a real kick can get.
Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after kicking a field goal in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)
PATRICK MAHOMES, FORMERLY THE CHIEFS’ STRONGER, WILL EAT DESPITE NKLE’S INJURY.
Dicker, of course, nailed it, and instead it was an eight-point lead for Denver going into the half instead of a 21-10 win.
Ironically, the last successful “fair catch kick” was in 1976 by none other than San Diego Chargers kicker Ray Wersching.
It was the 27th most successful catch in NFL history, including the postseason, and just the seventh by the uprights. The last attempt before Thursday was in 2019, when Joey Slye missed from 60 yards.
Dicker’s kick is now the longest punt in NFL history, surpassing Paul Hornung’s 52-yarder in 1964.
Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers kicks off during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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There were nine missed attempts between the Chargers’ two free kicks, but this one fell short. It was not uncommon for kicks to reach 70 yards or more, as the ideal catch was usually caught on the other side of the field.
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