Texans’ Matt Ammendola doinks game-tying field goal off crossbar



Matt Ammendola’s 58-yard field goal attempt will be the doink heard around the AFC South. 

The Houston Texans’ kicker had the chance to tie the game with 34 seconds left on the clock in a crucial matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Instead, the attempt bounced off the crossbar and out as the Texans lost 24-21 at NRG Stadium on Sunday. 

The loss ends Houston’s winning streak at three.

It was a tough break for Ammendola, who missed the chance to send the game to overtime by mere inches and has already helped Houston win a game since being signed earlier this month. 

The Jaguars (8-3) moved two games up on both the Texans (6-5) and Indianapolis Colts (6-5) in the division.

Ammendola, 26, has yet to make a field goal in the NFL at 50 yards or further, though his longest career field goal was a 56-yarder in high school. 

Matt Ammendola #16 of the Houston Texans and Cameron Johnston #11 of the Houston Texans react to an field goal attempt during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Getty Images

The Texans brought in Ammendola after they lost kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn to a quad injury.

In his first game with Houston on Nov. 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Amendola kicked a 33-yard field goal to win the game. 

“When the opportunity comes, you’ve just got to make the most of it,” Ammendola told the Houston Chronicle of the opportunity. “Just really blessed to have the opportunity to be out here.”

Ammendola didn’t fare too well on Sunday, missing both field goal attempts for the Texans. 

Earlier in the game, he missed a 50-yard attempt with less than a minute left in the first half and the Texans down 13-7. 

Texans kicker Matt Ammendola (16), Laremy Tunsil (78), Jacksonville Jaguars’ Andre Cisco (5) and others react to Ammendola’s unsuccessful field goal attempt on Sunday.
AP
Texans’ Cameron Johnston (11) looks on as Matt Ammendola (16) reacts to missing on a long field goal attempt in the first half on Sunday.
AP

Ammendola has bounced around the NFL since signing with the Carolina Panthers in 2021 as a free agent.

He’s spent time with the Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and two stints with the Texans.



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