3. Ka’imi Fairbairn
There is a good chance Houston Texans will need the services of kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn sometime in this game with more than just extra-point chances. This season, Fairbairn has made a field goal in every game and had made no less than two in all but one game this season.
The past two games, Fairbairn has been perfect with his field goal kicking as he’s been 2-of-2 in both games, and this past Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he made a 48-yard field goal. For the season, Fairbairn is 17-of-20 with his misses coming in Week 2, 4 and 5, but in Week 5, he was 4-of-5 against the Dallas Cowboys.
With the way the Texans have had to battle close in each and every game – as all but one of their games has come down to seven or fewer points – it is all but likely all of us will be watching Fairbairn this game.
Also with Fairbairn, he’s perfect in extra-point attempts at 14-of-14 this season, including Week 4 where he was 4-of-4. The past two games, Fairbairn has been 2-of-2 in PATs. Also with his kickoffs, Fairbairn has had 27 touchbacks this season and just 10 kickoff returns against him and the special teams kickoff unit.
Knowing that Fairbairn has made two game-winning field goals this season, don’t be surprised if the game would come down to the leg of Fairbairn once again, and if it does, the Texans should have confidence in their young kicker.