Is it really Thursday Night Football unless there's something weird going on?
Now, during Thursday's game between the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers, there was something that last happened back in 1976.
With eight seconds left in the first half and the Broncos leading 21-10, they punted the ball and sent both teams to the locker rooms hoping to run out the clock.
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, 11, runs from the fifth field during the fourth quarter of a game against the visiting Buffalo Bills on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. After scoring the goal, he was congratulated by teammate Josh Harris, 47. (Will Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Getty Images)
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The good news was that the clock hit zero, but the bad news was that Denver was called for fair catch interference.
Of course, you can't end a first half with a defensive penalty or a flag by the kicking team, so the Chargers had an opportunity for a “fair catch kick” after advancing 15 yards on the penalty.
Cameron Dicker was able to line up for a 57-yard kick without any haste before chaos erupted on both sidelines. In fact, he didn't even have to snap the ball. Essentially, it was as much practice repetition as actual kicking.
Cameron Dicker No. 11 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after kicking a field goal during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions on November 12, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
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Of course, Dicker made it, and instead of winning 21-10, Denver entered the first half with an eight-point lead.
Ironically, the last successful “fair catch kick” was in 1976 by none other than San Diego Chargers kicker Ray Wersching.
It was the 27th fair catch kick in NFL history, including postseasons, and only the seventh time it went through the uprights. The last attempt before Thursday was in 2019, when Joey Sly missed from 60 yards.
Dicker's kick is now the longest fair catch kick in NFL history, surpassing Paul Hornung's 52-yard shot in 1964.
No. 11 Cameron Dicker of the Los Angeles Chargers kicks off against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
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The Chargers had nine missed attempts between the two free kicks, but this was the shortest attempt. Fair catches are usually caught on the opposite side of the field, so it's not uncommon for kicks to reach 70 yards or more.
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