Talk:1971–72 NFL playoffs

Dead link
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 * http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2005/10/17/chiefs_vs_dolphins__game_6/
 * In 1971–72 NFL playoffs on 2011-05-25 04:13:36, 404 Not Found
 * In 1971–72 NFL playoffs on 2011-06-06 15:07:05, 404 Not Found

--JeffGBot (talk) 15:07, 6 June 2011 (UTC)

Fair Catch at the end of regulation
The following pertains to the Dolphins-Chiefs divisional game.

"..... But he missed the field goal attempt from 32 yards wide right. The Chiefs' Dennis Homan made a fair catch of a Larry Seiple punt as time expired in regulation, giving the Chiefs the option to attempt a fair catch kick from 68 yards, which, if good, would have resulted in a game-winning field goal. Fearing a return by Miami speedster Mercury Morris if Stenerud's kick fell short, Kansas City declined, and the game went to overtime."

This is not correct.

There were two Chiefs back for the punt. One made the fair catch signal, the other caught the ball. NFL rules stated that since the player who signaled for the fair catch didn't actually catch the ball, there was no option for a free kick. McDonough made that clear to Chiefs coach Hank Stram, but Stram didn't listen. Rather, Stram asked his kicker Jan Stenerud if he could kick a 60 yard field goal, to which Stenerud replied "there's no way, coach". At that point, Stram indicated to proceed with the overtime.

This web source supports this, and contradicts the current passage in the article. Here's a clip of the punt in question. Ed Podolak (Chiefs #14) signals for the fair catch, but Dennis Homan (Chiefs #21) catches the ball.