Rare Free-Kick Field Goal Attempt in Giants-Cardinals Game

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Neil Rackers Free-Kick Field Goal

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sourced by Jon Azpiri

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  Created by Jon Azpiri | add comment

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  Created by Jon Azpiri | add comment

The Arizona Cardinals attempted a rare free-kick field goal during their 37-29 loss to the New York Giants. Just as Donovan McNabb didn't know that NFL games could end in a tie, many fans didn't know that such a thing as a free kick in the NFL even existed.

Here's what happened. With seconds left in the first half, the Giants punted the ball to the Cardinals who signaled for a fair catch. According to NFL rules, a team is allowed a "free kick" field goal attempt after a fair catch. In this case, Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers lined up to attempt a 68-yard free-kick field goal. Unlike regular field goal attempts, there are no time limits to free kick field goals, the ball is not snapped to a holder and the opposing team is not allowed to rush the kicker.

It's a play that seems more at home in a rugby game than a North American football game and one that left fans scratching their heads. The play is rarely used since punts that are usually called for a fair catch are usually so far down the field that most teams wouldn't bother to attempt a field goal.

In this game, however, the Cardinals gave it a try and failed. The last time a kicker successfully completed a field goal free kick was in 1968.