Brock Osweiler Leads Texans to 27-14 Win Over the Raiders

HOUSTON, TX — It was a wildcard game, and it was, in some respects, do or die for Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler, the $72 million man who at many times during this season played more like a washed-up veteran. But all, it seems, is forgiven after the Texans' 27-14 win.

“I thought he did a good job,” Texans owner Robert McNair said in the press conference after the game. “He protected the ball. He moved the team when we really needed it. I thought he did a good job. He made some runs himself, so that was good. That’s really what we want him to do: protect the ball and make a few plays and get some third downs. He was able to do that.”

Houston's coach, Bill O'Brien, even announced that Osweiler would start next week's divisional game.

“I thought he had a good game,” O’Brien said. “He took care of the ball. He executed the game plan. Basically he spread the ball around. I’m not sure how many different receivers caught passes, but it looked pretty good to me.”

The quarterback completed 14 of 25 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown against the Raiders in his first start since being ostracized against the Jaguars in week 15. He also added 15 rushing yards and one touchdown on six carries.

“It means a lot,” Osweiler said after the game. “But more importantly, it means a lot to this football team. When we all came together in April ... when we all came together again in July for training camp, this is what we all had envisioned. We envisioned a great season. We envisioned an AFC South championship, and we envisioned making some noise in the playoffs. This is exactly what we expected out of this football team and to be able to get the job done today means a lot.”

If the Steelers beat the Dolphins on Sunday, the Texans will journey north to face the Patriots, but if Miami pulls off the upset, Houston will face the Chiefs in Kansas City.

— Image courtesy Wikipedia Commons/Jeffrey Beall