INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Cameron Dicker made the longest honest catch free kick in NFL historical past on the finish of the second quarter of the Los Angeles Chargers’ 34-27 win over the Denver Broncos on Thursday evening.
Dicker made the 57-yarder on the seldom-used play, which permits a group that has simply made a good catch to aim a area purpose with out the opponent making an attempt to dam it. The kick shortened the Broncos’ result in 21-13 on the half and proved to be a spark for the Chargers, who outscored Denver 21-6 over the subsequent two quarters.
The longest earlier honest catch free kick was a 52-yarder by Paul Hornung of the Inexperienced Bay Packers in 1962.
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The Chargers appeared as if they might go into halftime down 11 factors after quarterback Justin Herbert was intercepted by cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine late within the first half. However a fast three-and-out by the Broncos’ offense and a good catch interference penalty on Denver cornerback Tremon Smith gave Los Angeles an untimed down to finish the half.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh selected to take the honest catch free kick, which by rule is tried from the place a good catch was referred to as or has been awarded as the results of a penalty. Sometimes, groups sign for honest catches properly out of area purpose vary, so the technique is just not commonplace.
Dicker lauded particular groups coordinator Ryan Ficken postgame, telling reporters that he prepares the group weekly for such a situation. Dicker mentioned he did not know the rule till he met Ficken in 2022.
The final honest catch kick try was by Carolina’s Joey Slye in 2019 towards the Buccaneers. He missed the 60-yard try.
Every Friday, Dicker mentioned the specialists watch Slye’s kick. Nonetheless, Dicker admitted he by no means thought he would try one in a sport.
“It was superior,” Dicker mentioned. “It was humorous to be in that situation and simply be like, ‘Huh, there isn’t any lineup there. This appears a bit bizarre,’ but it surely was actually cool.”
Harbaugh mentioned the free kick is his favourite soccer rule and that he had been ready for the prospect to attempt one all season.
This is not the primary time Harbaugh has had his group try such a kick. In 2013, as coach of the San Francisco 49ers, he had Phil Dawson attempt a 71-yard honest catch kick, however he missed.
“That is our probability; that is our second,” Harbaugh mentioned of his thought course of. “I wished to attempt it from 65 [yards].”
On the sideline, Chargers gamers shared collective confusion. Herbert thought he would try a Hail Mary, and others realized that they did not know as a lot about soccer as they thought.
“All people was making an attempt to determine what was occurring,” outdoors linebacker Bud Dupree mentioned. “We knew he may make it. We simply did not perceive. Was it going to be a two-point or three-point, or did we get the ball on the 1? We did not know.”
Added working again Gus Edwards: “Man, I do not know whose concept it was to kick that, however they know ball. I used to be confused as s—. I ain’t ever seen that earlier than.”
There have been a minimum of 29 honest catch free kicks recorded throughout the common season, in accordance with quirkyresearch.com. The final identified participant to make a good catch free kick was Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers in 1976.
Broncos coach Sean Payton mentioned his group prepares for such eventualities in follow and that Smith’s penalty “wasn’t sensible.”
With the win, the Chargers swept the season sequence with the Broncos for the primary time since 2010. They’ll clinch a playoff berth with a loss or tie by the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts this weekend.
“Get some relaxation, restoration, however then we have to assault,” Harbaugh mentioned. “We nonetheless have video games to win.”
The Chargers shut the common season with journeys to the New England Patriots (3-11) and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-12).
