Texans’ Ka’imi Fairbairn Faces Crucial Test in NFL Wild Card Game

Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown in the 2025 NFL Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium on Saturday, January 11. The nine-year veteran, who has been a cornerstone of the Texans’ special teams, faces immense pressure to deliver in what could be a pivotal moment for his career.

Fairbairn, a former UCLA standout, is coming off a career-best 2023 season with a 96.3% field goal success rate. However, his performance dipped in 2024, with an 85.7% success rate, raising concerns about his consistency. This decline may be linked to a quad injury that sidelined him for five games last season. Despite the struggles, Fairbairn matched his career-high with 42 field goal attempts this year, compared to 28 in 2023 and 31 in 2022.

The Wild Card game is expected to be a tightly contested battle, with both teams relying heavily on their kickers. Fairbairn will face off against Chargers’ Cameron Dicker, who boasts a 92.9% success rate on 42 attempts. The Texans’ aggressive defense, particularly in the red zone, could force both teams to settle for field goals, making the kickers’ performances crucial.

Fairbairn’s struggles this season include two missed kicks from under 30 yards and three from beyond 50 yards. In contrast, Dicker has been flawless from under 30 yards and missed only three kicks from 40 yards or longer. However, Fairbairn has been reliable from 30 to 49 yards, making 15 of 16 attempts.

The stakes are high for Fairbairn, who signed a three-year, $15.9 million extension in March 2024. A strong performance could secure his place with the Texans for 2025, while a poor showing could put his future in jeopardy. The Texans, led by rookie sensation C.J. Stroud, have fallen short of high expectations this season, and every mistake will be scrutinized.

Fairbairn’s journey to this moment began in 2016 when he signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent. Since then, he has become one of the most consistent kickers in franchise history, earning two contract extensions. His 2024 season saw him score 142 points, second only to his 2018 campaign.

As the Texans and Chargers prepare for their Wild Card clash, all eyes will be on Fairbairn and Dicker. In a game where field goals could decide the outcome, the pressure on both kickers is immense. For Fairbairn, this is more than just another game—it’s an opportunity to prove he still belongs among the NFL’s elite.