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Chargers K Cameron Dicker gets trucked as Houston Texans return blocked PAT for two-point conversion

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•about 13 hours•

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Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker
© Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

After an impressive 86-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Ladd McConkey, the Los Angeles Chargers lined up for the PAT. But Cameron Dicker’s attempt was blocked – and when he went to knock it down, the Houston Texans ran it back for two points.

The Texans knocked Dicker’s extra-point try straight up in the air, and he attempted to put it straight into the turf. But since he was behind the line of scrimmage, it was still a live ball, which is how Houston was able to take it all the way back and into the end zone.

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Instead of making it a 23-13 Texans lead, the Chargers instead found themselves trailing 25-12 with just over 10 minutes to go. Houston also got the ball back on the ensuing possession.

As for why there wasn’t a penalty called, CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said the ball hit behind the line of scrimmage, meaning it was fair game. However, it also met the criteria for illegal batting because Dicker hit the ball toward the Texans’ end zone. But since Houston ran it back, the penalty didn’t matter.

“When he’s batting that ball down, that kick has not crossed the line of scrimmage, so it’s a live ball and can be advanced by anyone,” Steratore said on the broadcast. “He’s batting it towards his opponent’s end, though, which is another subject. It’s actually illegal batting, which doesn’t have any relevance to the successful two-point conversion by the defense.”

The play was just one part of a rough afternoon for the Chargers, who failed to get much going after scoring the first six points of the game. Houston then rattled off 20 unanswered points before McConkey’s 86-yard touchdown catch. That looked like Los Angeles was getting at least a little bit of momentum back, but the Texans special teams unit flipped the script and helped seal the victory.

As if that wasn’t enough, Houston scored one more touchdown after the Chargers’ ensuing sequence. Joe Mixon found the end zone with 3:42 to go to make it a 32-12 Texans lead, all but locking up a spot in the divisional round of the playoffs. Then, Derek Stingley picked Herbert off again, completing the victory.

Houston will now wait to find out who it plays next, pending the outcome of the Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills game. The lowest remaining seed will take on the Kansas City Chiefs.