Home / Sports / Texans' Special Teams Collapse in Bengals Loss
Texans' Special Teams Collapse in Bengals Loss
21 Sep
Summary
- Special teams unit performance was deemed 'not great' by coach DeMeco Ryans.
- A bad snap and hold ruined a field goal attempt, and a 58-yard attempt was missed.
- Bengals consistently won the field-position battle due to poor Texans' returns.
Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed dissatisfaction with his team's special teams performance following a 20-6 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ryans characterized the unit's play as "not great" and insufficient for winning football, highlighting a below-standard effort across all facets.
The special teams unit faced several critical issues during the game. A crucial field goal attempt in the first quarter was foiled by a bad snap and hold, resulting in a turnover on downs. Later, kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal attempt. The Bengals' return specialist, Dohnte Meyers, consistently exploited coverage, averaging 30 yards per kickoff return and enabling the Bengals to start drives in favorable field position.
Players like Fairbairn, punter Kai Kroeger, and long snapper Austin Brinkman acknowledged the unit's shortcomings and took responsibility. Brinkman cited his snap as the primary cause of the botched field goal, while Kroeger emphasized his role as the holder. Despite these challenges, the team aims to learn from the experience and improve their performance in upcoming games, focusing on individual accountability and practice.
