Is it really Thursday night football if there isn’t some kind of weirdness?
Well, Thursday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers featured an event that last occurred in 1976.
With eight seconds left in the half, and the Broncos leading 21-10, they punted the ball in hopes that time would expire and send both teams to the locker room.
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, 11, is congratulated by teammate Josh Harris, 47, after scoring his fifth field goal of the game against the visiting Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Saturday, December 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 reached zeros; The bad news, however, is that Denver was penalized for fair catch interference.
Of course, a half can’t end with a defensive penalty or flag by the kicking team, so the Chargers had a chance for a “fair kick” after the penalty moved them 15 yards.
Cameron Dicker was able to prepare for a 57-yard kick without any rush, but not before some confusion on both sides; in fact, it wasn’t even necessary to break the ball. Essentially, it was both a practice rep and an actual kick.
Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after kicking 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, made it and instead it was an eight-point lead for Denver going into the half instead of winning 21-10.
Ironically, the last successful “fair catch kick” was back in 1976, by none other than San Diego Chargers kicker Ray Wersching.
It was the 27th clean catch kick recorded in NFL history, including the postseason, and just the seventh to go through the uprights. The last attempt before Thursday was in 2019, when Joey Slye missed from 60 yards.
Dicker’s kick is now the longest free catch kick in NFL history, surpassing Paul Hornung’s 52-yard kick in 1964.
Cameron Dicker #11 of the Los Angeles Chargers starts 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)
There were nine missed attempts between the Chargers’ two free throws, but this was the shortest attempt. It hasn’t been uncommon for the kick to go more than 70 yards, as fair catches are typically made on the opposite side of the field.
