Houston Chronicle writer Jonathan Alexander joins Next Up following the Texans 19-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.
Veteran kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after a NFL record-setting performance. Fairbairn became the first kicker in NFL history with six 50-plus yard field goals within a two-game span. Fairbairn's 59-yard kick at the end of the first half stands as the longest field goal made this season and sits at second in franchise history. "He's been automatic," and "you can't really understate his importance to this team," Alexander said.
While the Texans can celebrate being the only 2-0 team atop the AFC South, Sunday's win was not necessarily dominant as the offense struggled against a strong Bears defense. Nico Collins' 28-yard touchdown to open up the second quarter would be the only time C.J. Stroud and the offense would find the endzone. "It's fair to be critical," but "you have to be patient" considering there is "a lot more football left to be played."
The Texans will travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. The offense will be facing another formidable opponent in the Vikings defense and will see some familiar faces, as linebacker Blake Cashman and defensive end Jonathan Greenard were both on the Texans roster last season. The Vikings "just have weapons everywhere on the field."