Another week, another Houston Texans player garnering accolades from the NFL front office.
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, the NFL announced Wednesday morning.
Fairbairn earned the award following his record-setting performance on Sunday Night Football in the team’s 19-13 victory over the Chicago Bears.
“‘Imi’ got ice in his veins,” Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud said Sunday. “Super happy and proud of him. He broke a record today or something like that. We definitely need him. All points are big points. I definitely think the preparation, just who he is at practice, you know that he’s going to knock it down just because of how hard he is on himself during practice.”
Are we even surprised?
Ka’imi is the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week 🎯 pic.twitter.com/fCMFLMwlGi
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 18, 2024
On the primetime stage, Fairbairn was the x-factor in helping Houston start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2016. He connected on all four of his field goal attempts ranging from 56, 47, 59 and 53 yards.
Fairbairn became the first kicker in NFL history with six 50-plus yard field goals within a two-game span. He was the only kicker in the NFL to make three field goals from beyond 50 yards in Week 2.
Additionally, he also became the first kicker in league annals to make three 50-yard field goals in multiple games throughout their career.
“He’s the reason why we’re standing here,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Fairbairn. “We talk a lot about offense, defense. But the kicking game is the reason why we won this game.”
Ka'imi Fairbairn this season 🤘
100% FGM
51 Yard FG
50 Yard FG
51 Yard FG
56 Yard FG
47 Yard FG
59 Yard FG🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/LAUmljkpZK
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) September 16, 2024
Entering Week 3, Fairbairn is currently tied for first in field goal percentage and field goals made. He’s also tied for first in the AFC with 13 total points scored on the evening.
Among his performance, his 59-yard boot at the end of the first half stands as the longest field goal made this season and ranks second in franchise history.
“He’s just balling out, it ain’t nothing, he’s been doing that. Pressure on the line, he’s cashing it,” receiver Nico Collins said. “We know what he can do. He’s a playmaker too, so I love him.”
#Texans K Ka’imi Fairbairn has been named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week 🔥
He has made all seven FGs this season, with 6 of them being 50+ yards. pic.twitter.com/2YEOyaQpml
— Nick Schwager (@NickSchwagerNFL) September 18, 2024
Earlier this offseason, Fairbairn became a priority signing for Houston after helping the franchise win its first division title in four years. After inking a three-year, $15.9 million contract deal with the Texans, he’s been worth every penny through two weeks.
The Texans travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at noon CT.
