"Rare Fair Catch Kick Sparks Chargers to Victory"

 

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Cameron Dicker set an NFL record for the longest fair catch free kick in history during the second quarter of the Los Angeles Chargers’ 34-27 victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Dicker nailed a 57-yard attempt, a rare play that allows a team to attempt a field goal following a fair catch, with no opposition trying to block it. The kick cut Denver’s lead to 21-13 at halftime and sparked the Chargers, who outscored the Broncos 21-6 in the second half.

Before Dicker’s 57-yarder, the longest successful fair catch free kick was a 52-yarder by Green Bay Packers' Paul Hornung in 1962. The Chargers appeared on track to enter halftime trailing by 11 points after Justin Herbert's interception by Denver cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine late in the first half. However, a quick Broncos three-and-out and a fair catch interference penalty on cornerback Tremon Smith set up an untimed down for the Chargers.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh opted to take the fair catch free kick, a decision based on a rule that allows a team to attempt the kick from the spot where the fair catch was made or after a penalty. This strategy is rare because teams typically signal for fair catches well beyond field goal range.

After the game, Dicker praised special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken, who prepares the team for such scenarios weekly. Dicker admitted he only learned about the rule after meeting Ficken in 2022. While the last fair catch kick attempt came in 2019 by Carolina’s Joey Slye, who missed a 60-yard attempt, Dicker said he never expected to attempt one in a game. "It was awesome," Dicker said. "It was funny to be in that scenario... but it was really cool."

Harbaugh, who had tried a similar kick as head coach of the 49ers in 2013 when Phil Dawson missed a 71-yard attempt, called the fair catch free kick his favorite rule in football. "This is our chance; this is our moment," he said of the decision to try the kick. "I wanted to try it from 65 [yards]."

On the sideline, Chargers players were initially confused by the play. Quarterback Justin Herbert thought the team would attempt a Hail Mary, and others weren’t sure if it was a two-point or three-point attempt. "Everybody was trying to figure out what was going on," said linebacker Bud Dupree. "We knew he could make it. We just didn’t understand."

Broncos head coach Sean Payton acknowledged his team prepares for such scenarios, but the penalty from Smith "wasn't smart." With the win, the Chargers completed a season sweep of the Broncos for the first time since 2010. They can secure a playoff spot if either the Miami Dolphins or Indianapolis Colts lose or tie this weekend.

"We still have games to win," Harbaugh said. "Get some rest, recovery, but then we've got to attack."

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will start in Saturday's game against the Houston Texans, despite suffering a high ankle sprain last Sunday. Mahomes has no injury designation for the game.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed Mahomes participated fully in Thursday's practice, the team's final session of the week, after being a full participant on Tuesday and Wednesday as well. "He did look good out there," Reid said. "He moved around pretty good." Mahomes had been replaced by Carson Wentz after the injury in last Sunday’s 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns.

The Chiefs ruled left tackle D.J. Humphries out for Saturday’s game after he missed all week of practice with a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Week 14 matchup against the Chargers and last week’s game against the Browns. With Humphries sidelined, Joe Thuney, normally the starting left guard, filled in at left tackle.

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DETROIT — The Detroit Lions have opted not to place running back David Montgomery on injured reserve after he received a third opinion on his MCL injury sustained in Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Montgomery "might have avoided season-ending surgery" and that there is "optimism for a potential return in the playoffs."

Montgomery, who is Detroit’s second-leading rusher with 775 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns, had initially been feared to be out for the season. Head coach Dan Campbell noted that the team is in a "waiting mode" while doctors assess the stability and recovery of Montgomery’s injury.

Despite the setback, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has 1,047 yards and 11 touchdowns, is prepared to shoulder more responsibility. "It’s nothing different," Gibbs said. "I’ve been doing this my whole life."

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METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will start against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night if Derek Carr is unable to play due to a hand injury, interim coach Darren Rizzi confirmed Thursday. Rattler replaced Carr at halftime during a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders last week, leading a late drive to score in the final minutes.

The Saints are also facing uncertainty with running back Alvin Kamara, who is dealing with a more serious groin injury than initially expected. Kamara’s injury is still being evaluated, and sources have said it could potentially be season-ending. Rizzi described Kamara’s situation as "week-to-week," but added, "It doesn't look great" for Kamara's chances of playing Monday.

Rizzi also addressed reports suggesting Carr could be done for the season. "By no means is it a reach that he'll be back at some point," Rizzi said. Carr is rehabbing a fractured non-throwing hand and is focused on regaining functionality so he can return before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the Saints activated wide receiver Chris Olave from injured reserve after he missed six games due to two concussions. Olave, who suffered his second concussion while wearing a new helmet, resumed practice this week and was in good spirits. Rizzi expressed excitement about Olave's return, saying, "I couldn’t be happier for him."