Texans Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn Reflects on Costly Kickoff Error

During a critical moment in the Houston Texans’ game against the Seattle Seahawks on October 23, 2025, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn expressed his disappointment over a late-game kickoff that fell short, contributing to the Texans’ 27-19 loss at Lumen Field. With just over two minutes remaining, the Texans scored a touchdown, narrowing the gap just before the two-minute warning.

Following the touchdown catch from rookie running back Woody Marks, the Texans had a chance to regain possession if their defense could force a quick three-and-out. However, Fairbairn’s kickoff, intended to either reach the end zone for a touchback or be kicked out of bounds, ended up being a short kick to George Holani, who returned it from one yard deep in the end zone. This misstep cost the Texans a valuable timeout, as they could not utilize the two-minute warning effectively.

Fairbairn’s Regret and Team’s Struggles

“I was disappointed about how that play ended up,” Fairbairn stated after the game. “The game plan was clear to me when I was told it was to kick it a touchback or kick it out of bounds. We couldn’t give them an opportunity to waste time and save that two-minute warning.” He acknowledged that he was overly aggressive and mishit the kick, promising to learn from the error.

The Texans’ problems extended beyond Fairbairn’s kickoff. The team accumulated ten penalties for a total of 105 yards, struggled with turnovers, and faced challenges on both offense and defense. Notably, Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba dominated the field, complicating matters for the Texans’ defense.

Despite this setback, Fairbairn has had a strong season overall, achieving a 13 of 15 accuracy rate on field goals and a perfect record on extra points. He has successfully made five of seven field goals from over 50 yards, showcasing his skills throughout the season.

Looking Ahead: A Reunion and a Goal

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans expressed frustration with the team’s execution. “The plan at the end of the game was to kick the ball out of bounds so we could utilize the timeout, and we did not execute that,” Ryans said. “Again, this goes to the entire game. It’s frustrating that we’re not executing the things we’re supposed to do.”

On a positive note, Fairbairn is looking forward to reuniting with former long snapper Jon Weeks, now a member of the San Francisco 49ers, during the upcoming game. “I’m looking forward to that,” he said. “The main thing is to get a win, regardless of who we’re facing.”

As the Texans prepare for their next challenge, Fairbairn’s determination to improve and Ryans’ focus on execution will be crucial in their efforts to turn the season around.