Cameron Dicker has the NFL buzzing. He nailed a rare 57-yard free-kick field goal. The Chargers’ kicker made history on Thursday night, a first in the NFL since 1976. But while the kick turned heads, Jim Harbaugh’s post-game speech set the tone for the team’s playoff ambitions.

“Who could possibly have it better than us?” Harbaugh said, hyping up his locker room after the thrilling 34-27 win over the Broncos. The victory pushed the Chargers to 9-6, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Harbaugh wasn’t shy about his expectations, telling his players, “Ten wins? This year, we’ll get in. That means we got another one we got to get. We got two more we got to get.”

The energy in the locker room reflected Harbaugh’s belief in his squad. “Special, special win. Special group of guys. Just love our guys,” he said, crediting the team’s total effort across all phases. He was thrilled by Dicker’s record-setting kick. “Cam Dicker stepped up and nailed it,” he said. The team echoed his sentiments in the locker room. Complementing the coach’s trust in them to execute.

The historic kick came at the end of the first half. And it soared Denver’s lead to 21-13. Harbaugh’s decision to attempt the rare play was no accident. The Chargers had practiced the free kick scenario, Harbaugh suggested. A scenario where a team can try a field goal after a fair catch without a defensive rush.

The Chargers rode that momentum into the second half, leading the Broncos 21-13. The defense tightened up and QB Justin Herbert led with determination, delivering clutch plays to seal the win.

Dicker the kicker delivers

Dicker’s 57-yard attempt, following a fair catch, cut into Denver’s lead and energized the Chargers’ locker room. “It was a huge momentum boost for us,” Herbert said. Dicker’s Pro Bowl-caliber season reached a new high with this historic moment. He became only the 2nd Charger to make a successful free kick.

The first was Ray Wersching in 1976 for the then-San Diego Chargers. Despite his success, Dicker admitted he hadn’t expected the opportunity to arise. “I didn’t really think it’d ever happen. Long kicks are fun,” he said.

The kick, Harbaugh joked, is his “favorite rule in football.” He also mentioned how “it got the momentum back.” Herbert, initially expecting to throw a Hail Mary, was glad the team trusted Dicker instead. The kick energized the team and set the stage for the rest of the game.

The Chargers’ playoff hopes are alive, thanks to Harbaugh’s confidence and Cameron Dicker’s precision. The historic kick and Harbaugh’s leadership showcase a Chargers team hitting its stride at just the right time. 2 wins could lock up their postseason dreams. And Thursday’s win proved they’re ready for the challenge.