Kicker Matt Ammendola was an unsung hero during the Houston Texans' 22-17 victory over the Denver Broncos Sunday afternoon. As the placekicker filling in for the injured Ka'imi Fairbairn, Ammendola accounted for nine points while going 3-for-3 in field goal attempts.
Ammendola contributed significantly to the Texans' Week 13 victory. But his performance was a chance at redemption following his subpar play against the Jacksonville Jaguars seven days earlier.
"At the end of the day, I'm just going out there and doing my job," Ammendola said. "It feels great. But to be a part of this team and organization, they have given me the opportunity to go out there and do what I do."
Ammendola described the disappointments of Week 12 as the ups and downs of life. On 4th-and-12 at NRG Stadium, Ammendola missed a 58-yard game-tying field goal with 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter, which hit the crossbar and bounced out. The missed field goal marked his second against the Jaguars.
If Ammendola made just one of his two attempts, the Texans could have recorded a victory against their AFC South counterparts. But instead of dwelling on the what-ifs, Ammendola adjusted his mind to move forward to the following week.
He did not change his kicking technique nor lose his confidence. After all, bouncing back following a tough outing is an athlete's job. However, Ammendola said the support he received from his teammates and coaches made it easier to move beyond the disappointments of the previous week.
One teammate who was there for Ammendola was rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. The two respective parties shared conversations leading up to their Week 13 contest against the Broncos, speaking positivity among each other.
"We always talk about how this is a great team, staff and organization," Ammendola said. "Everyone here, we are all riding for one another. It doesn't matter what position you are; we are all going to be there for each other.
"It was just one of those things you have to forget about and move on. My teammates have full trust in me and that goes a long way."
Fairbairn, who has been on injured reserve since Nov. 5, can return from his right quadriceps strain for the Texans' Week 14 match against the New York Jets. His potential return will end Ammendola's short time with the Texans. But should he stay one extra week, Ammendola is looking forward to facing his former team.
Ammendola carried a heavy burden when he left NRG Stadium following Houston's 24-21 loss to the Jaguars. But after helping the Texans defeat the Broncos, Houston went 3-1 with Ammendola at the helm as the team's place kicker.
His best performance came during a 30-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Ammendola gave the Texans the victory by nailing a 38-yard game-winning field goal at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 12.
"Matt did a really good job for us this last week," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "One of his best games since he’s been with us. He did a really good job. So, I’m proud of what Matt did for us. He stepped up and made some big-time plays for us."
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