INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers pulled off a remarkable feat during their thrilling 34-27 victory over the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, utilizing one of football’s most obscure rules to shift momentum in their favor.
The Chargers took advantage of the rarely seen fair-catch kick rule, which allows a team to attempt an uncontested field goal following a fair catch. If the kick passes through the uprights, it’s worth three points, just like a traditional field goal. This seldom-used rule has remained a quirky part of football lore, with the last successful fair-catch kick occurring nearly half a century ago, in 1976.
How It Happened
Late in the first half, the Chargers found themselves in a unique situation after a fair-catch interference penalty on the Broncos placed the ball at Denver’s 47-yard line. With fewer than 10 seconds on the clock, Harbaugh and his coaching staff seized the opportunity. After a brief exchange of timeouts, kicker Cameron Dicker was called upon to attempt a 57-yard fair-catch kick.
Dicker delivered, launching the ball cleanly through the uprights and setting a new NFL record for the longest successful fair-catch kick. His historic kick cut the Broncos’ lead to 21-13 as the teams headed into halftime.
“It felt surreal out there,” Dicker said postgame. “No line in front of me, just the ball and the uprights. It’s a unique situation, and I’m glad I could execute for the team.”
Harbaugh’s Longtime Fascination
For Harbaugh, this wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment decision. The Chargers’ head coach has long been intrigued by the fair-catch kick rule. He previously attempted to use it during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers in 2013, though that 71-yard attempt fell short.
“It’s my favorite rule in football,” Harbaugh admitted with a grin during the postgame press conference. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to use it. Tonight, we had the perfect scenario, and Cam stepped up big time.”
Turning the Tide
The momentum generated by Dicker’s historic kick proved to be a game-changer. In the second half, quarterback Justin Herbert orchestrated three touchdown drives, while the Chargers’ defense held Denver’s offense to just two conversions on eight third-down attempts.
“Honestly, I was preparing for a Hail Mary situation,” Herbert revealed. “But then the coaches made the call for the fair-catch kick. It gave us a huge boost heading into halftime.”
The Chargers outscored the Broncos 21-6 in the second half, securing a critical win that improved their playoff chances. With the victory, Los Angeles moved up to the sixth seed in the AFC and swept the season series against their division rivals.
Playoff Implications
The Chargers now hold a commanding 97% chance to make the postseason, according to Next Gen Stats. Depending on the outcomes of other games this weekend, they could even clinch a playoff berth before Christmas.
Harbaugh’s debut season as the Chargers’ head coach has been filled with memorable moments, but this one will undoubtedly stand out. “It’s a special memory,” Harbaugh said. “Christmas is my favorite holiday, and this feels like an early gift for the team and our fans.”
A Rare and Historic Moment
The successful fair-catch kick not only brought excitement but also renewed interest in one of the NFL’s most unusual rules. For Harbaugh and the Chargers, it was a bold decision that paid off handsomely, helping them edge closer to a playoff berth and cementing a moment in NFL history.
