In their 34–27 victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football, the Los Angeles Chargers gained a crucial edge through one of the rarest plays in football—a successful fair catch free kick.
This uncommon rule allows a team to attempt a field goal from the spot of a fair catch, with the opposing team prohibited from rushing the kicker. Late in the first half, the Chargers fair caught a Broncos punt. A subsequent interference penalty on Denver granted the Chargers an untimed down, setting up the opportunity for the remarkable play.
Bolstered by the extra yardage from the penalty, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh seized the moment, opting for a rare free kick while trailing 21-10. With the powerful leg of kicker Cameron Dicker, the Chargers converted a historic 57-yard free kick the longest in NFL history. The successful kick, worth three points like a field goal, closed the gap to 21-13 as the first half ended.
“Great football game,” Harbaugh said afterward. “Let’s talk about Cam Dicker and the free kick. It’s my favorite rule in football. I’ve been trying to get one in every game. When Cameron Dicker made it, it shifted the momentum back to us. This was our chance. This was our moment to try it.”
After halftime, the Chargers came out strong, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half. They continued their offensive surge, finding the end zone on three of their first four possessions, building a commanding 34-24 lead by the fourth quarter. The team held on to secure a 34-27 victory.
Kicker Cameron Dicker credited special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken for preparing the team for such a rare play. Dicker admitted he hadn’t even known about the fair catch free kick rule until learning it under Ficken’s guidance.
Free kicks are rarely attempted in the NFL. The most recent attempt before Thursday came in 2019, when former Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye tried a 60-yarder. Prior to Cameron Dicker’s successful kick, the last one made was by Ray Wersching of the San Diego Chargers in 1976.
Interestingly, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh is no stranger to the play. In 2013, while coaching the San Francisco 49ers, Harbaugh had kicker Phil Dawson attempt a free kick against the St. Louis Rams.
The Fair Catch Free Kick Rule
The fair catch free kick is one of the NFL’s rarest and most unique plays. It allows a team that has made a fair catch on a punt to attempt a field goal from the spot of the catch. Unlike a traditional field goal, the opposing team cannot rush the kicker, and the kick is taken from a standstill, similar to a kickoff.
The play is worth three points if successful, just like a standard field goal, and is typically attempted in situations with limited time on the clock. While rarely used, the fair catch free kick remains an intriguing rule that can turn the tide in a game when executed successfully.