Ka’imi Fairbairn could have blamed the wind for his 55-yard field goal miss in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs.
He could have said the coverage was bad on the missed PAT that would have tied Saturday’s game at 13-13.
He could have said anything about the final blocked kick and some would have understood his point.
But Fairbairn, whose three missed kicks factored into the Houston Texans’ 23-14 loss to Kansas City in Arrowhead, took ownership of the miscues on the road.
“It was gusty, but (Chiefs kicker) Harrison Butker made all his kicks, so it was my job to make all of mine,” Fairbairn said following Saturday’s game.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — #Texans veteran kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn on missed field goal, blocked kick and missed extra point ‘It always hurts. I want to perform for my teammates, the fans, all of Houston. Yeah, it hurts’ @KPRC2 He made zero excuses about the wind. pic.twitter.com/E2IiW4v66v
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 19, 2025
During the second quarter, Fairbairn attempted a 55-yarder to tie the game 6-6. Deeps kicks had been a common theme for the veteran entering Saturday’s contest since he had made 13 from 50+ this season.
But Fairbairn’s kick was pushed far right, thus giving Kansas City field position its own 45. That eventually led to a Travis Kelce gain of 50 and Kareem Hunt’s 1-yard touchdown run.
“I think I just tried to kick it too hard, honestly,” Fairbairn said postgame. “I tried to attack it too much and it came off weird and kicked the ground a little bit.”
Following Joe Mixon’s 13-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, it was a similar approach to the line, It also was a similar result since Fairbairn’s kick went right off the posts again.
“On the PAT, I think I just need to pick a better line,” Fairbairn said.
In the fourth quarter following a C.J. Stroud sack, Houston wanted to drain a 35-yard kick, try to recover an onside kick and make it a one-score game.
That didn’t happen since Fairbairn’s kick was blocked by Leo Chenel and former Texans safety Justin Reid, ricocheting off the back helmet and into the backfield.
Ka’imi Fairbairn on that FG pic.twitter.com/Pe9CZ9DHoU
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) January 18, 2025
“Maybe I need a faster op,” Fairbairn said. “Obviously want to make those kicks for my team. It’s my job to make those kicks. Nothing I can really say much to it right now but learn from it and take it into the next season.”
Seven points were left on the board from the missed plays. No, that wouldn’t have been enough to secure a victory, but it would have stopped Kanas City from driving toward a touchdown, which could have factored into a victory.
The Texans close out 2024 with an 11-7 record. They’ll pick 25th in the upcoming NFL draft.
