Tom Savage won his first game as an NFL quarterback on Sunday, leading the Texans to a 21-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Savage was 23-of-36 for 260 yards through 2 1/2 quarters.
"It was nuts, but I think the guys did a good job of rallying around me and making some plays for me," Savage said. "I'm happy to be a part of this team."
DeAndre Hopkins, who finished with a season-high eight catches for 87 yards, said Savage has always been studying the offense, even if he has not been playing.
"I really haven't had much time to throw with Tom this year or last year, but he's known this offense since he's been in the league," Hopkins said.
The Texans benched Brock Osweiler after he threw interceptions on back-to-back drives. With 8:31 left in the second quarter, Tom Savage entered the game for Osweiler after the Jaguars took a 13-0 lead, scoring ten points off the turnovers.
"At that point in time, I just felt like it that was the best decision for the team," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "I think we've got three really talented quarterbacks here. I really do."
The Texans improved to 8-6 on the season and remain in first place of the AFC South, tied with Tennessee who defeated Kansas City. Head coach Bill O'Brien did not give any indication whether it will be Savage or Osweiler starting Saturday's game against Cincinnati.
"We'll regroup here tonight," O'Brien said. "We've got a short week and we'll make any decisions on anybody, any starter that we have. We make decision on that every week."
The Texans punted just twice while Savage was in the game. He led the offense on five scoring drives, four which led to field goals and the late fourth-quarter touchdown to give Houston the lead. Savage completed passes to Will Fuller V, Ryan Griffin, and Lamar Miller for 10, 8, and 10 yards, respectively, on the scoring drive. Miller's one-yard touchdown run capped off a 8-play, 52-yard drive to give Houston a 21-20 lead with 2:51 remaining. "Well, Tom played very well," Texans founder, chairman, and CEO Bob McNair said. "He got things going for us. That was a decision Coach made and he's going to do what he thinks is best for the team. He will be visiting with the quarterbacks and working with them deciding what we will be doing going forward. That's his call."
Savage, now in his third season, has not played in a regular season game since his rookie year, Week 15 at Indianapolis. He completed 10-of-19 passes for 127 yards in relief of Ryan Fitzpatrick, but an injury would sideline him for the final two games of the season. In 2015, Savage was placed on the Reserve/Injured list on Sept. 1 and missed the season.
Take a look at some photos of the Houston Texans warming up for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
