Reason #3: The kickoff effect
Fairbairn’s touchback percentage on kickoffs, 2019 NFL Rank: # 23
A kicker in today’s NFL benefits from a strong leg on kickoffs, especially since NFL rules were
modifiedto bring kickoffs five yards closer to reaching opposing end zones to reduce violent collisions. Kicking the ball into, orthrough, the end zone for a touchback decreases the chances of an opposing team’s kick returner gaining excellent field position and possibly even scoring a touchdown.
Of all 32 NFL teams, the Texans—and Fairbairn, for that matter—rank 23rdin creating kickoffs that successfully result in touchbacks. Fairbairn’s kickoffshave been returned 26 times, ranking as thefourth-highest totalof kickoffs resulting in returns in the NFL. On those 26 returns, other teams have gained a total of 486 yards on Fairbairn’s kickoffs—ranking as theeighth-worst total amount of yardsallowed on kickoffs in the league through Week 11.
Also of note, Texans’ punter,Bryan Anger, contributedone kickoff in 2019with an impressive 73-yard distance that was brought out of the end zone for a 13-yard return. Did you know—the distance of Anger’s sole kickoff ranks him in a tie forthird in the NFLfor the longest kickoff of the 2019 season? This leads to the question: should Anger get Texans’ kickoff duties more often?
What do you think? Please leave your comments below.
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