special teams
Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn didn’t miss any of his three extra points, and he also hit a 29-yard field goal with 3:26 to go in the game to make the contest a two-score game late. Ultimately, that was the difference in the Texans coming out of Nissan Stadium 9-5 and in firm command of the AFC South.
Bryan Anger had four punts and averaged 46.3 yards per punt with three of them inside the 20-yard line.
Returner DeAndre Carter had two kickoffs that combined 54 yards with his longest going for 31. Carter had three shots at punt returns, but two were downed and the other one was fair-caught.
The real play of the game for the special teams was on Ryan Succop’s 45-yard field goal in the first quarter. Defensive end Angelo Blackson blocked the field goal, and safety A.J. Moore fell on the loose ball to obliterate Tennessee’s chance to add points first. It was part and parcel of special teams coordinator Brad Seely’s importance to the team as his decades of experience in the transition phase of the game has been helpful to Houston in finding the hidden yardage and advantages that comprise hard fought victories.