Tag: Ka’imi Fairbairn

Texans K Ka’imi Fairbairn earns AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

For the second time this season, the Houston Texans feature the league’s best kicker.

Another Sunday, another 55-plus yard field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn to help bail the Houston Texans out of trouble.

Another Wednesday, another accolade from the NFL’s front office.

For the second time this season,  Fairbairn was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following yet another record-setting performance that helped lead the team to a 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

The Texans have now moved the team to 4-1 on the season and are looking for their best start since 2012.

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“We got a lot more work to do,” Fairbairn said Wednesday. “I think guys know that. We’re trying to get better every day. That’s the main goal.”

Fairbairn connected on all three field goal attempts and totaled 11 points, surpassing Kris Brown to become the Texans’ all-time leading scorer with 773 points tallied over his career.

“A stat like that, becoming the all-time leader, is not something you can do alone, so you need everybody to get those points,” Fairbairn said. “I plan on scoring a lot more. I’m very grateful.”

Two of his three field goals were once again from beyond 50 yards, marking his seventh and eighth such field goals made this season. His eight field goals made from at least 50 yards are the most in a single season in franchise history, currently lead the NFL, and are the most in NFL history through the first five games of a season.

With two seconds remaining, Fairbairn booted a 59-yard kick through the uprights as time expired, becoming the 12th kicker in NFL history to connect on a game-winning field goal from at least 59 yards.

“It’s comforting to know you have a guy who can hit it at that critical moment,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Sunday.

This marks Fairbairn’s fourth time winning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. It also marks the second time this season after picking up the title in Week 2’s 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears.

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“Experience always helps,” Fairbairn said. “This one was no different.”

The Texans travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots on Sunday at noon CT.

Texans Wire Player Of The Game: K Ka’imi Fairbairn

Ka’imi Fairbairn has ice in his cleats once again to secure a 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

If a player makes history, they win the weekly accolade.

Ka’imi Fairbairn’s game-winning 59-yard field goal over the Buffalo Bills was just the cherry on top of a record-setting day in the Houston Texans’ 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.

In the third quarter, Fairbairn drilled a 47-yard field goal to put Houston up 20-3. That kick made the longtime kicker the franchise’s all-time leader in points.

“This is a special one,” Fairbairn said postgame. “I don’t take it lightly. A guy I definitely have to shout out is Jon Weeks. He’s been with me every step of the way, every single snap.

“A stat like that doesn’t happen without everybody involved. Offense, defense, special teams, everyone was coming together. I’m happy, it’s incredible.”

Eight years into his NFL career, Fairbairn is aging like fine wine. Kicks back in the 2018 season would seem out of reach are now becoming common themes while keeping Houston’s potential path to a No. 1 seed in the AFC alive.

This season has been all about the Fairbairn field goals. In Week 2’s win over the Chicago Bears, he drilled a 59-yarder to bail out the offense. Last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, his 30-yard poot punt went right down the middle.

On Sunday, Fairbain was perfect once more, making attempts from 50 yards, 47 yards and the game-winning from the H for “The H.”

“We already know what Ka’imi’s capable of,” said receiver Tank Dell. “He’s a great kicker and he did what he had to do. He did his job. Congratulations to him.”

If the season were to end tomorrow, Fairbairn would be Houston’s Most Valuable Player. He’s currently missed one field goal from over 50 yards and has a success rate of 90 percent. Fairbairn also is a perfect 7-of-7 in attempts at NRG Stadium.

“I was taking my padds off,” defensive back Jalen Pitre said of the kick. “I knew he was going to hit it. We see it every day in practice so I knew.”

For that reason, plus the ice in his veins when asked to drill long shots of what seems like easy money, Fairbairn is Texans Wire’s Player of the Game for Week 5. This is the second time he’s taken home the hardware from us this season, making him the first multi-winning recipient.

It probably won’t be the last, either.

Instant analysis: Ka’imi Fairbairn’s game-winning field goal secures 23-20 win

Ka’imi Fairbairn’s can’t-miss leg secured the Houston Texans another win on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

The Houston Texans love the theatrics.

A week after C.J. Stroud threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Dare Ogunbowale with 18 seconds remaining against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ka’imi Fairbairn drained a 59-yard field goal as time expired to secure a 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium.

The Texans improved to 4-1 and 3-0 at home before hitting the road for two games. Stroud, a favorite to win the MVP, threw for 331 yards and a touchdown while completing 73.7 percent of his passes.

Houston jumped out to an early 17-6 lead entering halftime thanks to a pair of touchdowns from Cam Akers and Nico Collins. Fairbairn, who became the Texans’ all-time leader in points, also drilled a 50-yard field goal to close out the second quarter.

But Josh Allen and the Bills never broke despite bending their will. They rallied to outscore the Texans 17-3 in the second half. Keon Coleman’s 49-yard reception on fourth-and-5 put Buffalo within three with 4:20 remaining in the third quarter.

Allen, who entered Sunday as the MVP favorite, was 9 of 30 for 131 yards and picked up another 54 with his legs. He evaded a sack on third down with 3:18 remaining to set up a 33-yard field goal for Tyler Bass.

The Texans had a chance to put the game out of reach midway through the fourth quarter and were driving after back-to-back first-down gains. Stroud tried to find Stefon Diggs for first down, but the pass was intercepted by Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard.

On the ensuing drive, defensive end Dawuane Smoot’s strip-sack of Stroud on third down gave Buffalo the ball at the 15-yard line. Allen left on the previous drive to be evaluated for a concussion, yet somehow managed to return to set up the Bass field goal.

Robert Woods returned a punt 13 yards to put Houston at midfield after the defense forced a three-and-out. Dare Ogunbowale had a 5-yard run to set up Fairbairn for the game-winner.

After drilling a 61-yard field goal earlier this season, a 59-yarder felt like a chip shot.

Diggs, who was traded to Houston this offseason after spending four seasons with the Bills, finished with a team-leading six receptions for 82 yards.

Collins, who entered Saturday as the NFL’s leading receiver, caught two passes for 78 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown in the first quarter before leaving with a hamstring injury.

The Texans travel to face off against the New England Patriots next Sunday at noon CT.

Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal gives Texans win over Bills

The Bills rallied from 17 down only to see the Texans take the victory on a long field goal as time expired

The Houston Texans saw a 17-point lead erased by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The needed the foot of Ka’imi Fairbairn to avoid a brutal loss.

The kicker came on and drilled a 59-yard field goal as time expired to give the Texans a 23-20 victory over the Bills in a thriller.

Buffalo was pinned its own territory late and was unable to get a first down to run out the clock and force overtime.

The Texans gained five yards on two plays setting the stage for Fairbairn’s kick.

Josh Allen had a terrible game, going 9-for-30 for 131 yards.

Texans K Ka’imi Fairbairn named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Ka’imi Fairbairn is so clutch that no one is shocked he won AFC Special Teams Player of the Week following the Houston Texans’ win Sunday night.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

Former UCLA Bruins kicker makes NFL history

The former UCLA Bruins kicker has already made history in the NFL season.

The UCLA Bruins football season has gotten off to a rough start following a blowout loss to Indiana last weekend. But one former Bruins has quietly made some history in the NFL this season.

Houston Texans kicker, Ka’imi Fairbairn, has answered the call in the first two weeks of the NFL season. A perfect 7-7 on his field goal attempts in 2024, Fairbairn was the first kicker in NFL history to hit six field goals of 50 or more yards in the first two weeks.

In Week 1, the former UCLA Bruin Fairbairn’s three made field goals over the Indianapolis Colts were enough to lift them to a 29-27 win. Only a week later, Fairbairn hit three field goals of 50 or more yards to hand the Texans a 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears.

At 2-0, the Texans are rolling, in large part due to the work of Fairbairn. With tough games ahead on their schedule, the Texans will continue to rely on Fairbairn, who could potentially make even more history.

Texans Wire Player of the Game: K Ka’imi Fairbairn

Ka’imi Fairbairn set an NFL record Sunday night on primetime television to help the Houston Texans secure a win over the Chicago Bears.

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.

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.

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.

Fairbairn’s clutch factor earned him the Texans Wire’s top honor.

Will he follow in Mixon’s footsteps at the national level?

Watch: Ka’imi Fairbairn drills long field goal for Texans before halftime against Bears

Ka’imi Fairbairn is the definition of clutch for the Houston Texans.

Ka’imi Fairbairn’s middle name is clutch.

Well, it’s actually Kaʻiminoeauloamekaʻikeokekumupaʻa, but “clutch” is how the Houston Texans kicker has played this year.

Following a false start from Laremy Tunsil, the Texans were just in line of Fairbairn’s usual field goal range. From the logo, the veteran delivered a 59-yard boom blast to give the Texans a 16-10 lead over the Chicago Bears at halftime.

Fairbairn also made a 50-yard field goal on Houston’s opening drive to take a 3-0 lead.

The former UCLA star has been perfect for the Texans after signing a three-year, $15.9 million contract extension this offseason. In Week 1’s 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, he drilled three 50-plus yard kicks, including a season-long 51-yarder.

Well, that record was broken in the closing second of the first half. Houston could come back to thank Mr. Clutch following the end of the third quarter.

Texans kicker Kaʻimi Fairbairn shows off leg power with 51-yard field goal

Kaʻimi Fairbairn shows off his leg power with a 51-yard field goal for the Houston Texans to extend their lead.

Kaʻimi Fairbairn is already showing Houston Texans fans why he was worth a new contract.

Fairbairn, the Texans’ longtime kicker, continued his long streak with a booming 51-yard field goal Friday night at Acrisure Stadium to give Houston a 20-6 lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Last season, Fairbairn was 5-of-6 on field goal attempts of 50 yards or more en route to helping Houston secure its first division title in four years. He finished 27-of-28 with a long of 54 yards while totaling 102 points.

This offseason, Fairbairn agreed to a new three-year, $15.9 million extension to stick around with the Texans through 2026. He should remain a stable part of the franchise’s turnaround alongside playmakers C.J. Stroud, Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr. and Stefon Diggs in 2024.

2024 NFL free agency: Texans K Ka’imi Fairbairn contract details

After back-to-back seasons making 90% of his field goals, the Houston Texans made Ka’imi Fairbairn the league’s fourth highest-paid kicker

Details emerged regarding the new contract for Houston Texans kicker Houston Ka’imi Fairbairn.

The 30-year-old is now one of the highest-paid kickers in the league after he and the team agreed to a three-year extension worth $15.9 million, according to KPRC’s 2 Aaron Wilson.

Fairbairn becomes the league’s fourth-highest-paid kicker, with an average annual salary of $5.3 million. Only the Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker, the Indianapolis Colts’ Matt Gay nd the New York Giants’ Graham Gano have a higher per-year price tag. 

The Hawaiian has the highest percentage of guaranteed money in his contract of any kicker at 69.6%, according to Over The Cap. Fairbairn’s contract includes the first two years guaranteed and a total guarantee of $11 million. 

Houston rewarded Fairbairn after he made 27 field goals in 28 attempts. He did not miss a field goal within 50 yards last season and has made nearly 95% of his kicks in the past two years.

Fairbairn has been the team’s kicker since 2017 and has scored 731 points in his career with a percentage of 87.1. His career long is 61 yards, which he set in 2021. He signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2016.

On kickoffs, he posted the second-highest touchback rate of his career, at 63.8%. Fairbairn is only 30 years old, and if he can stay healthy, he could sign another contract or two. 

He spent 2016 on injured reserve, and an injured calf forced him out of a Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This led to third-string running back Dare Ogunbowale entering as the emergency kicker. Fairbairn missed the next five weeks.

Houston’s offense emerged as one of the league’s most explosive last season, and the threat of Fairbairn’s big leg only adds to the dynamic element. Fairbairn has made 11 of his 12 attempts from 50-plus yards in the past two seasons.