Diehard NFL fans were puzzled by the Los Angeles Chargers employing the fair-catch free-kick rule during their Thursday Night Football win over the Denver Broncos.
The fair-catch free-kick rule has been in existence for many years but has not been used since 1976 when Ray Wersching used it for the San Diego Chargers. His attempt was a 45-yarder, a shorter kick than Cameron Dicker’s 57-yard attempt.
A rare fair catch free kick results in a Cameron Dicker 57-yard FG for the @Chargers 🤯
It’s the first free kick FG since 1976! pic.twitter.com/yb0cyPuKnR
— NFL (@NFL) December 20, 2024
Why are the Chargers the only team using this rule? It is hard to say. The rule is applicable in certain situations making execution of the fair-catch free-kick a rarity.
Why Doesn’t The Fair-Catch Free-Kick Rule Get Utilized More Often?
There are two main reasons why these kicks rarely happen. First, when a team fair catches a kick, it is trying to drive down the field for a touchdown. Getting just three points in that situation is not optimal unless there is not much time on the clock.
Second, when teams fair catch kicks, they tend to be out of field goal range even for a long kick.
Will More Teams Use It Now?
The Los Angeles Chargers successfully converted the kick and won the game. They trailed in the game, but the fair-catch free-kick was part of how they mounted a comeback.
The Carolina Panthers failed to convert a fair-catch free-kick in 2019 with one second left in the half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London. International fans were confused.
Given the Chargers recent success, other teams’ special teams coordinators may try to employ it if circumstances allow it.
