Chargers take advantage of obscure NFL rule with free kick field goal last successful in 1976

Is it real Thursday night football if there is no oddity?

Well, the Denver Broncos on Thursday-Los Angeles Chargers the game had an event that last happened back in 1976.

With eight seconds left in the half and the Broncos leading 21-10, they punted the ball in hopes of running out the clock and sending both teams to the locker room.

Chargers running back Cameron Dicker (11) is congratulated by teammate Josh Harris (47) after making his fifth field goal against the visiting Buffalo Bills during 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 hit zero – the bad news, however, is that Denver was called for fair catch interference.

Of course, a half can’t end with a defensive penalty or a flag by the kicking team, so the Chargers had a fair catch kick opportunity after the penalty moved them 15 yards.

Cameron Dicker was able to line up for a 57-yard field goal in no rush, not before there was confusion on both ends — in fact, the ball shouldn’t have been kicked. In essence, it was as much practice reps as an actual kick.

Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after making a field goal during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)

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Dicker, of course, scored, and it was an eight-point lead instead Denver enters halftime instead of winning 21-10.

Ironically, the last successful fair catch kick was performed by none other than San Diego Chargers player Ray Wersching back in 1976.

It was the 27th recorded fair catch kick in NFL history, including the postseason, and only the seventh to go through the post. 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-yard kick 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 two Chargers free throws, but this one was the shortest. It is not uncommon for a kick to reach more than 70 yards, since a fair catch is usually made on the opposite side of the field.

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