EL SEGUNDO — Quality special teams play is a critical part of any football team’s operation whether it’s at the beginning, middle or end of any season and whether it’s on any level from middle school to high school to college to the NFL. It’s as important as blocking and tackling and passing and catching.
No question, the Chargers have benefited from the remarkable accuracy of kicker Cameron Dicker and wouldn’t have won either of their past two games without his right foot. But he couldn’t have done it without equally superb play from long snapper Josh Harris and holder JK Scott.
Dicker made all five of his attempts, including the game-winning kick from 54 yards, in the Chargers’ 22-19 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 8. He then went 3 for 3, including the decisive kick from 49 yards, in a 16-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday.
Overall, Dicker has made 34 of 36 field goal attempts and each of his 29 extra point tries in 14 games this season. Going into Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, Dicker, with assists from Harris and Scott, has missed only twice this season. One was from 49 yards and the other from 55.
No one with 100 attempts or more in NFL history has been as accurate as Dicker, who has made 94% (125 of 133) during his career. He’s been named the AFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season and six times overall in his career, which began with a one-game stint with the Eagles.
The reliability of Dicker and Co. gives the Chargers an edge as they head into their final three regular-season games, according to special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken. Consistency also has been a factor in their past success plus whatever is to come in the next few weeks.
“Obviously, there’s a lot more attention to it because of the value of these games,” Ficken said. “I would argue that we have the three best specialists to handle December games. I’m very proud of those guys. They make it look easy, but it’s because they work hard at it and they’re great at what they do.”
Scott also handles the punting duties for the Chargers, who might not have defeated the Chiefs if not for a well-placed boot that, after a holding penalty, pinned Kansas City at its own 8-yard line with 5:20 left in the game. The Chiefs’ final drive ended on Derwin James Jr.’s interception.
Scott’s punt traveled only 28 yards, but it enabled the Chargers to flip the field after starting their own drive at their own 1-yard line after an interception by linebacker Daiyan Henley.
“JK did a great job of neutralizing the returns on all of his punts,” Ficken said of Scott, who punted four times against Kansas City for a modest average of 37.5 yards, but with zero return yardage by the Chiefs. “Field position in that kind of a (low-scoring) game comes up huge for us.”
INJURY REPORT
The Chargers ruled out wide receiver Derius Davis for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys because of an ankle injury he suffered during their victory over the Eagles. They also ruled out rookie safety RJ Mickens because of a shoulder injury he sustained in the first half against the Chiefs.
Outside linebacker Bud Dupree (back), wide receiver Quentin Johnston (groin), safety Elijah Molden (hamstring), right tackle Trey Pipkins III (ankle) and defensive lineman Teair Tart (shin) were listed as questionable. Quarterback Justin Herbert (left hand) dropped off the report.
Kyle Kennard could join the outside linebacker rotation if Dupree can’t play. Kennard, who was the Chargers’ fourth-round draft pick in April out of South Carolina, has played only three games this season. He hasn’t seen the field since the Oct. 12 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
