Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans credited Nico Collins for finding his way into the end zone for a 28-yard score.
He gave props to the defense for forcing two turnovers and totaling seven sacks against Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
But the Texans secured a 19-13 victory Sunday night in their home opener because Ka’imi Fairbairn can’t miss.
No, literally, it feels like a challenge to see him not connect for an easy three points wherever he lines up on the field.
He’s been perfect to begin the season and is well on his way to shattering records this fall.
“Ka’imi is the reason why we’ve won these two games,” Ryans said postgame late Sunday evening. “That’s the player of the game.”
Ryans isn’t wrong. Fairbairn’s consistency has kept Houston (2-0) ahead in wins over the Colts and Bears in back-to-back weeks.
56-yard FG with room to spare!
The @HoustonTexans take the early lead.
📺: #CHIvsHOU on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/CVKnSzuNFt— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2024
It’s also a record. With Fairbairn’s 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, he’s now the first kicker in NFL history with six 50-plus-yard field goals within a two-game span.
Fairbairn, who drilled three field goals in Week 1’s win over the Colts, started the night with a 56-yard blast to give Houston a 3-0 lead. He extended the Texans’ lead before halftime with a booming 59-yard kick that had the crowd at NRG Stadium erupting into the night and keeping pace.
“He’s been consistent, he’s been on it and he’s the reason why we’re standing here,” Ryans said. “The kicking game is the reason why we won this game today.”
Fairbairn was a top priority signing this offseason after Houston secured its first division title in four years. The Texans believed his best years were still ahead, so they inked him to a new three-year, $15.9 million contract extension.
Ka'imi Fairbairn is the first player in NFL history with 6 field goals of 50+ yards in a 2-game span 🙌
(h/t @HoustonTexans) pic.twitter.com/cbCH6Jkz5D
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) September 16, 2024
Like quarterbacks, finding a consistent kicker can be challenging. Oftentimes, speical teams won’t be an essential part of a team’s game plan, leading to a carousel of placekickers and punters coming in each offseason while leaving the following winter.
For Fairbarin, who enters his ninth season with the Texans, the title of “Mr. Clutch” has reached new levels in 2024. His shortest kick so far has been from 47 yards out, which probably should be considered automatic.
Last week, running back Joe Mixon took home Texans Wire’s Player of the Game en route to winning AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Ka'imi Fairbairn this season:
51 yards🎯
50 yards🎯
51 yards🎯
56 yards🎯
47 yards🎯
59 YARDS🎯— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) September 16, 2024
Fairbairn’s clutch factor earned him the Texans Wire’s top honor.
Will he follow in Mixon’s footsteps at the national level?
