The Houston Texans’ Week 12 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars delivered. There was drama, fireworks, and late-game theatrics all present. The only thing missing for Houston fans was a happy ending, as the Texans were defeated 24-21. They certainly gave themselves a fighting chance. C.J. Stroud led Houston from its own 11-yard line to Jacksonville’s 39 on the game’s final drive. However, on the final series, Stroud took an ill-advised sack and was forced to throw downfield on third down instead of sprinting for a yard or two. It was going to come back to bite him.
With 34 seconds remaining in regulation, kicker Matt Ammendola was tasked with kicking a 58-yard game-tying field goal.
His kick would hit the crossbar and bounce back, wasting his time. Following the loss, Ammendola reacted to the game-winning attempt. “I went out there.” “I have complete faith in literally all of my guys,” Ammendola said of the snap-hold-kick operation. “I honestly thought the kick was going in, but it obviously fell a step short.” But it is what it is, and I must return to work and continue.”
Ammendola was filling in for veteran kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, who was sidelined with a calf injury. The incumbent converted 18 of 19 field goals and 14 of 14 extra points. Ammendola is known for his powerful leg, but he has yet to make a 50-yard (or longer) field goal in his NFL career. This trend continued on Sunday.
The backup kicker would miss both field goal attempts, but he would convert all three extra points. Both attempts were from at least 50 yards away, with the first having the necessary distance but sailing right. “It occurs. As I previously stated, I thought the kick was about to land. “I was surprised because I never come up short,” Ammendola said. “But, once again, it is what it is… Just need to fine-tune it and get ready for next week.”
Ammendola was far from the only flaw in Sunday’s action, but as the one in the spotlight on the game’s final play, he’ll bear the brunt of the criticism.
The defeat effectively eliminates Houston (6-5) from the AFC playoff picture. The Texans no longer have the tiebreaker with the first-place Jaguars and are now two games back with six games remaining. To make matters worse, the Indianapolis Colts have the same record as Houston and defeated them early in the season. Ammendola’s costly kicks undoubtedly jeopardized the Texans’ playoff chances, but perhaps that’s to be expected for a game that came down to a kick. Houston will look to bounce back against the Denver Broncos next week.
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