Michael F’n Dickson!

That was ridiculous. Instant reaction to sprint the spot, first tries to take advantage of the chaos to run for it, then knows exactly where the LOS is so that he can still punt it legally once he sees he can't make the first down.
 
NFL Rules Note said:
The penalty for a punt, drop kick, or placekick from beyond the line is to be enforced from the spot where the ball is punted or kicked when the player’s entire body and the ball are beyond the line of scrimmage. This includes either when the player is airborne or touching the ground.
Click to expand...

His back leg wasn't over the line, so it's legal.
 
LOS was 21.25 yard line. He stopped at 21 yard line to kick it. The ref was 3 ft away from him.
 
The rule states his ENTIRE body, not just the ball, must be over the line for it to be a penalty. I remember that explanation from a play involving Ellinger a couple years back.
 
Here is the rule from the NFL website. Look at Note 3.

SECTION 1 - KICK FROM SCRIMMAGE

ARTICLE 1. KICK ON OR BEHIND LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
Team A may attempt a punt, drop kick, or placekick from on or behind the line of scrimmage.

Penalty: For a punt, drop kick, or placekick that is kicked from beyond the line of scrimmage or not from scrimmage: Loss of 10 yards from the spot of the kick. For a second kick from behind the line after the ball has crossed the line: Loss of 10 yards from the previous spot.

Notes:

  1. This is not considered illegally kicking the ball.
  2. The penalty for a punt, drop kick, or placekick from beyond the line is to be enforced from the spot where the ball is punted or kicked when the player’s entire body and the ball are beyond the line of scrimmage. This includes either when the player is airborne or touching the ground.
  3. A second kick from behind the line of scrimmage is legal provided the ball has not crossed the line.
  4. Scrimmage kick rules apply to punts, drop kicks, and placekicks anywhere on the field.
Rule 9
 
In the stadium they announced that the play was "Reviewed by New York. His heel was behind the LOS which makes it a legal play." Don't listen to Joe Buck or Troy Aikman.

It was truly a stellar play all around after Travis Homer (up-blocker) simply disregarded the unblocked defender coming straight up the gut. Dickson NEVER panics when the play breaks down and is definitely a Top 3 punter in the NFL, if not #1.
 
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