A version of this story appears in the Jan. 4, 2016, issue of Sports Illustrated. Subscribe to the magazine here.
With 6:52 remaining in the second quarter in Houston on Sunday, the Texans start their huddle at the Jacksonville 33-yard line, facing third-and-one. They hold a 10–3 lead with an AFC South title and the third playoff berth in the franchise’s 14 years on the line. If they’re stopped, the 50-yard field goal attempt would be at the edge of kicker Nick Novak’s range. To the 71,054 fans at NRG Stadium, it’s clear that this will be one of those plays that decide their team’s season.