A New Sheriff in Town

Boos rained down from the seats at NRG stadium in Houston as the 71,803 in attendance at the Texans v. Jaguars expressed their frustration. They were down 13-0 to a very weak 2-11 Jacksonville Jaguars team. But it wasn’t just the score that sparked this uproar, it was a season long build up of vexation and anger towards their $72 million dollar “savior”, Brock Osweiler. Texans fans were pleased with a 6-3 start to the season, even though Brock had not been executing like they thought a 72 million dollar man would. But after 3 straight losses to the Raiders (27-20), Chargers (21-13), Packers (21-13) and the loss of their sole lead in the AFC South, panic begin to set in amongst Texans fans. Entering week 15, Osweiler’s numbers were not dazzling. He had a 60% completion percentage, compiling 14 TD’s and 14 INT’s with a 55.0 QBR. Not only were Osweiler’s numbers subpar, but the Texans offense had been very stagnant and unable to finish in the red zone. The week before, the Texans had to settle for 5 field goals in their 22-17 win over the Colts. Twice this season, the offense had been kept out of the endzone during an entire contest. They have been helped largely by their defense, which is missing the two time defensive player of the year, JJ Watt. The defense has been able to keep them close, and they have adjusted well without Watt, with Jadeveon Clowney stepping in to try to fill his role. With the resurgence of the Tennessee Titans this season, the Texans needed Osweiler and the offense to step up in order to obtain their lead in the AFC South. Osweiler certainly didn’t seem to get this memo as he posted one of his poorest 1st half starts this season. Half way through the second quarter against Jacksonville, Osweiler was 6/11 with 48 yards and 2 interceptions. When the Jags increased their lead to 13-0, and the Texans fans began booing, Bill O’Brien did something all of Houston had been waiting for since week 12, he benched Osweiler. Tom Savage saw playing time for the first time this season and did one of the hardest things in sports. Thrust into a high pressure game that he thought he would never play in, Savage led his team to victory. He went 23/36 and threw for 280 yards. He stayed in the pocket and delivered strike after strike down field. His throws were accurate, which is something Osweiler had been lacking all season, and he showed confidence, another attribute Osweiler seemed to have forgotten in Denver. The Texans squeaked out a 21-20 victory that included a safety earlier in the game which became a key 2 points for the Texans. Just another example of their D keeping them in games. O’Brien officially named Savage the starter for their matchup with the Bengals, a game they ended up winning 12-10. For the Texans to have a chance to make the playoffs, it will all rest on the play of Savage and the Texans offense in these last two games. This season, Texan fans will look not to their “savior”, but to a Savage to lead their team to the promised land.