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Cameron Dicker field goal ruling causes controversy to end first half of Patriots-Chargers

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•12/28/24•

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Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker and HC Jim Harbaugh
© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made a 38-yard field goal late in the first half of Saturday’s game against the New England Patriots to give Los Angeles a 20-7 halftime lead.

The kick didn’t come without controversy, though, as it appeared that Dicker may have actually missed the kick. You can check out video of the field goal attempt below.

The referees underneath the goalpost looked at each other after the kick by Cameron Dicker, before ruling that it was good. The Patriots crowd disagreed with the call and booed.

NFL rules analyst Gene Steratore was brought onto the NFL Network broadcast to discuss the call.

“It is not reviewable,” Steratore said. “And in the NFL, the entire football must go inside the outside part of the upright. The upright can be involved, but the entire football has to go inside the outside of the upright.

“As you guys can see, even with this angle, it’s very difficult to tell where that football is when it does get to right where the upright is. If it’s in there, it’s fine. If it’s there, we might have a different result.”

Steratore was then asked which way he would have ruled the field goal by Cameron Dicker.

“Listen, I had a couple of those before I wore the white hat. Those are not as easy as people think. That’s a tough call sometimes, fellas.”

Dicker made another field goal earlier in the first half, as well as an extra point.

Cameron Dicker and the Chargers agreed to terms on a four-year, $22.004 million extension ahead of the 2024 season. The deal included $12.5 million guaranteed. It makes Dicker one of the highest-paid kickers in the NFL.

Dicker is in his third NFL season in 2024. He began his professional career in Philadelphia in 2022 before joining the Chargers to finish the season.

Dicker played college football at Texas before arriving in the NFL. He appeared in 49 games during his college career and scored the most points by a kicker in Longhorns history.

He also scored the third-most points in Texas history, regardless of position. Dicker made 60 field goals during his time at Texas, which is the most in Longhorns history. He was named first-team All-Big 12 as a punter and honorable mention All-Big 12 as a kicker as a senior in 2021.