When Brock Osweiler arrived in Houston this offseason, he pictured a lot of things for himself as the Texans starting quarterback.
It didn't all go according to plan.
After leading the Texans to a 27-14 win over the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Wild Card game, Osweiler regained his role as the team's starting quarterback, after being benched in favor of Tom Savage in Week 15 against Jacksonville. With Osweiler back under center, the Texans played their "best game of the year," according to head coach Bill O'Brien.
"He was able to get off to a good start and that's always a good sign that he's getting into a rhythm and he feels it," O'Brien said. "He moved the ball well for us today."
On Saturday in front of a home crowd at NRG Stadium, Osweiler performed the way he and the offense knew they could. The Texans took an early 10-0 lead before finishing with their first postseason win since Jan. 5, 2013.
"It means a lot but more importantly, it means a lot to this football team," Osweiler said. "I think when we all came together in April for OTAs, when we all came together again in July for training camp, this is what we all had envisioned. We had envisioned a great season, envisioned an AFC South championship, and we envisioned making some noise in the playoffs so this is exactly what we expected out of this football team and just to be able to get the job done today means a lot."
In his return, Osweiler completed 14-of-25 for 168 yards, one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown and no interceptions. He also connected with DeAndre Hopkins on five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.
"Excellent job, (he was) doing a great job of getting us into the right plays, making some big-time throws, seeing Hopkins in those one-on-one coverages and giving him a chance, and then running the ball in there at the end," left tackle Duane Brown said. "Just the energy he brought, the poise he had, great job by Brock today."
With the win, Houston advances to the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs next weekend. The Texans will have to wait for the conclusion of Sunday's game between Pittsburgh and Miami to find out who they will play next. If Pittsburgh wins, Houston will head to New England to face the Patriots. If the Dolphins upset the Steelers, the Texans will play the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Check out the best photos of the Houston Texans as they take on the Raiders at NRG Stadium.
