Fairbairn's 59-Yard Field Goal Lifts Texans Over Bills 23-20; Houston Improves to 4-1

Oct 6, 2024, 08:13 PM

The Houston Texans secured a 23-20 victory over the Buffalo Bills with a last-second 59-yard field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn. The win, improving the Texans' record to 4-1, came after critical errors by the Bills in the game's closing moments. A 46-yard punt by Texans' punter Tommy Townsend pinned the Bills at their own 3-yard line. The Bills then controversially opted for three consecutive incompletions, stopping the clock and returning possession to the Texans. Robert Woods' 13-yard punt return set up a quick 5-yard pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud to Dare Ogunbowale, positioning Fairbairn for the game-winning kick. Bills quarterback Josh Allen struggled, completing just 9 of 30 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown, marking the lowest completion percentage (30.0%) in a game with at least 30 pass attempts in the last 30 seasons. The Bills' coaching decisions, particularly those of head coach Sean McDermott, faced scrutiny following the loss.