In a game filled with unexpected twists and turns, perhaps the most surprising moment came on a routine kickoff in the first quarter. The Houston Texans, after being assessed a 15-yard penalty on the previous play, lined up to kick off from their own 50-yard line. What happened next left players, coaches, and fans scratching their heads – and the Texans celebrating a small but significant victory.
The Kickoff Heard ‘Round Lambeau
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn approached the ball and, with a powerful swing of his leg, sent it soaring high and to the left. The ball veered wildly out of bounds, landing just shy of the Packers’ 5-yard-line. Fairbairn immediately turned and headed for the Houston sideline, high-fiving his teammates. A bewildered hush fell over Lambeau Field as the refs deliberated.
What followed only increased the sense of confusion. The penalty flag came out, the refs stepped off 25 yards from the spot of the kickoff… leaving the ball sitting at the 25-yard-line. That’s right, the same result as a touchback. The Packers had seemingly gained no advantage from the penalty, and the Texans were elated. But why?
The Obscure Touchback Kickoff Rule, Explained
Here’s the key: in 2022, the NFL moved the touchback starting position from the 25 to the 30-yard-line in an effort to reduce kickoff returns. But they didn’t account for this specific scenario – a penalty on the kicking team that moves the kickoff spot up, followed by a kick out of bounds.
By intentionally kicking the ball out of bounds from the 50, the Texans ensured the Packers would start at the 25 instead of the 30, actually netting a 5-yard advantage from the “penalty”. Had they kicked it in bounds, even a touchback would’ve given Green Bay the ball at the 30. The Texans, to their credit, knew the rule and exploited it beautifully.
We knew going into it that if we were able to kick the ball from the 50, that we would have [Fairbairn] just be aggressive. That’s just something that we noticed with the rule that was kind of foolproof way for us to have our defense get some good field position.
– Dare Ogunbowale, Texans running back and kick team member
Kickoff Strategy in the Modern NFL
This play highlights the immense strategic complexity of NFL kickoffs, an often overlooked “third phase” of the game. With the touchback rule changes, onside kick restrictions, and other obscure regulations, special teams coaches are constantly seeking an edge.
For the Texans, it paid off – they forced a three-and-out on the ensuing Packers possession. While Green Bay would ultimately win on a last-second field goal, Houston’s clever exploitation of this loophole played a key role in keeping the game close.
Closing the Kickoff Loophole?
The NFL has said it will likely reexamine its kickoff rules in the offseason, and this play could be a catalyst. By moving the touchback to the 30 but not accounting for this specific penalty scenario, they left open a gap that savvy special teams units could exploit.
It’s a small edge in a league obsessed with finding any possible advantage. And for one sunny October afternoon in Green Bay, it was an edge that belonged to the Houston Texans. As fans and analysts debate the merits of the kickoff and potential rules changes, this much is certain – there is no such thing as a “routine” play in the NFL.
