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A controversial call on an extra-point attempt proved significant in the Houston Texans' 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Following a fourth-quarter touchdown, Houston's Ka'imi Fairbairn converted the point after to give the Texans a 20-13 lead with 12:30 remaining.
However, many television viewers believed his attempt sailed wide.
Normally an easily call, this extra-point attempt was difficult to read because Fairbairn's kick flew directly above the upright. According to the rules, this is fine, so long as the ball does not veer beyond the outside edge of the upright.
But to viewers, whose perspective is affected by camera angle, Fairbairn's kick appeared to do just that.
'Kai Fairbairn just clearly missed an extra point.. and both refs decided to ignore it?' one fan asked. 'Lol. Seems Indy drew the short stick today.'
Fairbairn's kick flew directly above the upright, making it difficult to read for TV viewers
Another camera angle – this one directly behind Fairbairn – gave a somewhat different impression. As noted by the @TexansCap X account, this perspective supports the refs' call
'Looked wide to me,' another added.
But while the NFL rulebook does not allow for a challenge in that situation, the referees may have gotten the call right on the field. As many pointed out online, the camera angle on CBS was slightly off center, making Fairbairn's kick appear to hook left as it sailed over the upright.
Another camera angle – this one behind Fairbairn – gave a somewhat different impression.
'Camera angle tricked a lot of people, including me at first, but it's pretty clear Fairbairn hooked it through the uprights,' one fan wrote on X.
'We won't ever get a perfect camera angle on the Fairbairn extra point in the 4th quarter,' read a post from the @TexansCap account. 'Looking at the opposite end zone angle (opposite from the end zone angle shown on TV). The football looks good.'
The call proved significant.
Trailing 20-16 on their last drive, the Colts needed a touchdown instead of a tying field goal and ultimately turned the ball over on downs as a result.
With the win, the 7-5 Texans moved a game behind the Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars for first place in the loaded AFC South.
