HOUSTON — In a groundbreaking moment during the wild-card playoff game between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, D’Angelo Ross of the Texans made history by returning a blocked extra point for two points in the fourth quarter. This marked the first time such a play has occurred in the postseason of the NFL.

The sequence unfolded following a remarkable 86-yard touchdown reception by Ladd McConkey early in the fourth quarter. After the touchdown, Cameron Dicker attempted the extra point, but Denico Autry managed to block it. The ball soared into the air due to the deflection, and although Dicker attempted to catch it, it slipped through his fingers. Ross seized the opportunity, picked up the loose ball, and returned it to the end zone, extending Houston’s lead to 25-12. The Texans ultimately concluded the game with a 32-12 victory, making it the first NFL game ever to conclude with that score.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans expressed his initial frustration over conceding the lengthy touchdown, admitting he was not focused on the extra point attempt. “I wasn’t really looking until I heard the big thump and we got it,” he noted. “I just see (Ross) pick the ball up and he’s coming towards me. I couldn’t do anything but smile.”

The NFL implemented the rule allowing teams to score two points for returning a blocked extra point to the end zone in 2015. Prior to this change, any blocked extra point that was recovered by the defense would be deemed a dead ball. Since the inception of this rule, Ross’s return marked the ninth successful extra point return in the league, as highlighted by Sportradar. Notably, there was a similar event during the 2024 regular season when the Eagles executed it against Tampa Bay on September 29.

Additionally, over this period, there have also been five instances where two-point conversion attempts were returned successfully for two points by the opposing team. This trend underscores the evolving dynamics of special teams play in professional football.