One of the sequences that was a big contributor to the Houston Texans’ 16-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers Sunday at NRG Stadium was their liberal use of second-half timeouts.

In a play that will possibly go down as one of the Christian McCaffrey’s more memorable 2019 plays, the Panthers running back caught an 8-yard pass on third-and-7 from the Panthers’ 16-yard line with 11:23 to go in the game and Carolina protecting a three-point lead. McCaffrey bobbled the ball about five yards behind the line to gain before catching it, falling to the ground and sliding untouched past the line to gain.

Texans coach Bill O’Brien challenged the play, and referee Adrian Hill ruled the call on the field stood, costing the Texans their second timeout in a quest for 3-1 that was starting to dim.

O’Brien explained to reporters after the loss his philosophy on challenging the catch.

“I felt like he caught the ball but I felt like he slid, you know, and declared himself down basically to get the first down,” O’Brien said. “So, I felt like he landed and slid and, so, I felt like I could challenge the spot and the catch. But I felt like he probably did catch the ball, but I challenged both things really, the spot and the catch.”

As a result of O’Brien’s gamble, the Texans lost their second timeout, and they had to ultimately mount a game-winning drive with 28 seconds left and 75 yards to go with no timeouts. Although the Texans threw a Hail Mary from the Panthers’ 47-yard line as the game’s final play, a timeout could have helped them run a more play deeper into Carolina territory rather than try a midfield heave.

The Texans will host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 5 for Founder’s Day, when late founder Bob McNair will be inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor.