A free-kick field goal was the storyline of tonight’s game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. As the game neared halftime, it didn’t appear Los Angeles would prevail over Denver tonight. But as it so often does in the NFL, one play changed everything.
As the Chargers won over the Broncos, it was HC Sean Payton that everyone blamed for the loss. With eight seconds left in the first half, the Broncos punted to the Chargers. The clock expired on the down, but a kick catch interference penalty on Denver during Los Angeles’ attempted fair catch gave them one untimed play.
There’s no telling how the game would have played out if the Chargers didn’t get the opportunity for a free kick. But there’s reason for the Broncos to be kicking themselves. Their momentum and opportunity for a 28-10 lead literally evaporated in seconds.
Denver legend Shannon Sharpe and other analysts were disgusted with Payton’s handling of the situation. Prior to the punt that set the stage for the free kick, the Broncos led 21-10 with 41 seconds remaining in the half. Los Angeles had two timeouts; if Denver ran the ball three times, the half would have ended in conventional fashion.
Instead, Broncos head coach Sean Payton called a pass on 2nd-and-13. Bo Nix’s attempt fell incomplete, allowing the Chargers to stop the clock on the ensuing third down. That’s where history was made.
The Chargers brought on kicker Cameron Dicker for a 57-yard free kick. The play – which funct.
