The Houston Texans have started off the 2024 NFL season 2-0 after defeating the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football this week. Although the offense only reached the end zone once during the close contest, the special teams – and especially kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn – put their best foot forward in this showdown.
Fairbairn booted four long field goals to help pace Houston’s scoring. The 30-year-old was successful on all four of his attempts, nailing kicks from 47, 53, 56, and 59 yards. He’s hit all seven of his FG tries this year, as well as being a perfect three-for-three on extra point attempts.
While the Texans didn’t exactly light the scoreboard on fire, the standout on the offensive side of the ball was wide receiver Nico Collins. He had eight catches for 133 yards and the team’s only touchdown of the night.
Texans Kicker Gives Bears the Boot in 19-13 Victory
Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans Praises His Kicker
Following the victory, head coach DeMeco Ryans was quick to offer his praise for Fairbairn, who he says has been a key component to the Texans’ success so far.
“Ka’imi is the reason why we’ve won these two games,” Ryans said after the game. “That’s the player of the game. He’s been consistent, he’s been on it and he’s the reason why we’re standing here. The kicking game is the reason why we won this game today.”
Fairbairn also made a little bit of NFL history on Sunday night. He is now the first kicker to have nailed six field goals of 50+ yards in two games. He will try to extend his streak of stunning strikes when the Texans take on the Minnesota Vikings (2-0) in Week 3.
A Tale of Two Quarterbacks
Houston quarterback CJ Stroud – the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year – didn’t post his usual gaudy numbers, but he managed to limit his mistakes and maintain control of the game. The Texans passer went 23 for 36 through the air, racking up 260 yards and one touchdown. He’s currently seventh in The League in passing yards with 494.
On the other side of the field, first-overall draft pick Caleb Williams showed some improvement in his second regular season game, despite the Bears (1-1) suffering the loss. The USC product threw for 174 yards, but he was intercepted twice on the evening. The H-Town defense swarmed the rookie, sacking him seven times.
After the game, Williams was solemn about his and his team’s collective performance, but he maintained that they would eventually be a team on the rise.
“[I] understand it’s a long season,” Williams said after the loss. “We understand that it’s week two. We understand that we’re going to respond, and just get better every day. Get better at practice, in all these things through the week… [paying] better attention to detail, and things like that.”
“We’re excited about this week, coming up. We’re excited about all that. And obviously, we’re feeling all that, but at the same time… it sucks to lose. It’s as simple as that.”
The Bears QB also mentioned his encounter with fellow signal caller, CJ Stroud, on the field after the game. He stated that the two were only able to have a brief conversation on the field.
“We shook hands at the end of the game, said good luck, [and] stay healthy,” Williams stated. “And that was about it.”
