Breaking Down NFL's Free Kick Rule After 49ers' Attempt vs. Rams

Week 4's Thursday night NFC West showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the host St. Louis Rams took a turn for the strange at the end of the first half. 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh elected to give kicker Phil Dawson a shot at a free kick—a rare strategy that caused confusion amongst fans and everyone involved in the game.  Dawson has been a historically stupendous kicker, but he is 38 years old after all, and this was a 71-yard attempt—sure to smash the NFL record if he were to nai...