Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made the first successful fair catch kick since 1976 and it was the longest such kick in NFL history.

A little-known NFL rule gives a team the right to take a free kick from the line of scrimmage on the next play after a fair catch. It is essentially a field goal with a holder (but no snap) and no rush, as the defense must stand at least 10 yards from the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.

The Chargers got a chance to try when returner Derius Davis made a fair catch. Broncos cornerback Tremon Smith brushed against Davis’ leg as he passed, drawing a flag to prevent a fair catch.

Although time expired, the Chargers received an untimed down due to the 15-yard penalty. They initially sent out the offense before calling a timeout. It is unclear whether Jim Harbaugh was originally aware of the rule, which does not apply in college football.

Dicker made the 57-yard field goal to bring the Chargers within 21-13 at halftime.

Ray Wersching’s 45-yard free kick for the Chargers against the Bills on November 21, 1976 was the last successful Fair catch kick, according to quirkyresearch.com. There are five other known successful free kicks for field goals, including a 52-yarder by Green Bay’s Paul Hournung at the end of the first half of a game against the Bears in 1964.

No team had attempted a free kick since 2019, when Carolina kicker Joey Slye went 60 yards to the right of the goal at the end of the first half in a game against the Bucs in London.