|
|
HOU |
TEN |
Texans have QB questions again after 24-17 loss to Titans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Houston Texans are going into the playoffs with their quarterback situation unsettled once again, this time a combination of injury and improved play by Brock Osweiler.
Tom Savage wound up sidelined by a concussion Sunday, and Osweiler played well enough after coming off the bench in Houston's 24-17 loss at Tennessee that coach Bill O'Brien said the Texans will be evaluating who starts their AFC wild-card game.
''We will talk about that as a staff,'' O'Brien said. ''We will talk about that tomorrow and the next day.''
Savage started for the AFC South champions, left in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion and was cleared. He took a snap to kneel down on the final play of the first half, and O'Brien told team radio Savage would play in the second half. But Savage was diagnosed with a concussion after being re-evaluated at halftime.
O'Brien said he did not know what happened. The Texans (9-7) will host Oakland (12-4) next weekend.
That left Osweiler, benched during a win over Jacksonville on Dec. 18, running the offense. He threw for 253 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a 1-yard TD on fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter.
Osweiler had one final chance to tie with Houston getting the ball with 53 seconds left. But he was sacked and threw incomplete on fourth down as Tennessee held on.
''He did a good job,'' O'Brien said. ''He competed. Guys got open for him. He threw the ball. Did a nice job for us.''
Osweiler, the quarterback signed away from Denver for $72 million, said he absolutely wants to start in the playoffs.
''You play this game to be a starter,'' Osweiler said. ''You play this game to contribute positively to your team, so I would absolutely love to start this playoff game. But at the end of the day I don't make those decisions.''
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said nobody panicked when Savage left the game.
''We hate that Tom went down the way he did,'' Hopkins said. The guy's just getting his chance in this league. But this is the NFL, and it's next man up.''
DaQuan Jones recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the first quarter, and the Titans never trailed to finish with their first winning season since 2011.
The Titans (9-7) also ended a five-game skid to the two-time AFC South champs, who had beaten Tennessee eight of the previous nine games in this series. With their six-win improvement from going 3-13 in 2015, the Titans matched the biggest one-year turnaround in franchise history, previously set in 1967 and 1974.
Matt Cassel also threw for a touchdown in his first start this season in place of an injured Marcus Mariota, and Derrick Henry ran for a TD.
The Texans had little at stake except sweeping the AFC South for the first time in franchise history. They deactivated six starters before kickoff and had just one starter in on defense by midway through the third quarter. Undrafted rookie Joel Heath had two of the Texans' four sacks.
MISSING IN ACTION
O'Brien said running back Lamar Miller, who missed his second straight game with an injured ankle, should be back for the playoffs. Fullback Jay Prosch also was deactivated. On defense, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, linebackers John Simon and Brian Cushing and cornerback Johnathan Joseph also did not dress. O'Brien said quarterback Brandon Weeden was the only healthy player deactivated.
ATOP AFC
DeMarco Murray came into the regular-season finale trailing Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell by two yards for the most yards rushing in the AFC. Pittsburgh rested Bell for the playoffs. Murray struggled to find running room against Houston, which has allowed an NFL-stingiest 68 yards rushing per game since Week 8. Murray finished with 21 yards on 11 in his worst performance this season.
Murray finished with 1,287 yards and said after the game he finished the season with a torn plantar plate, a ligament on the bottom of his right foot.
QUOTABLE
''Winning is hard to do, and obviously a really good feeling,'' Titans coach Mike Mularkey said. ''But still disappointment as we are not playing. Feel a little bit empty here that we don't have a chance to keep going after today. This is a lesson ... learned.''
UP NEXT
Texans: Figuring out who starts at quarterback.
Titans: A busy offseason featuring two first-round draft picks and lots of salary cap space to accelerate rebuilding.
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This story has been updated to include Houston's playoff opponent, the Oakland Raiders.
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL.
---
Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker
Copyright 2017 by STATS LLC. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.
B. Osweiler
8 QB 253 PaYds, PaTD, RuYd, RuTD |
22
FPTS
|
|
R. Matthews
12 WR 114 ReYds, ReTD, 9 RECs |
17
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
B. OsweilerÂ
17 QB
22 FPTS
|
B. Osweiler | 21/40 | 253 | 1 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. SavageÂ
3 QB
-1 FPTS
|
T. Savage | 5/8 | 25 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. BlueÂ
28 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Blue | 11 | 28 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. GrimesÂ
41 RB
4 FPTS
|
J. Grimes | 8 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. SavageÂ
3 QB
-1 FPTS
|
T. Savage | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. OsweilerÂ
17 QB
22 FPTS
|
B. Osweiler | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 22 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. HopkinsÂ
10 WR
12 FPTS
|
D. Hopkins | 11 | 7 | 123 | 0 | 51 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. WilliamsÂ
82 WR
4 FPTS
|
W. Williams | 4 | 2 | 41 | 0 | 26 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. GrimesÂ
41 RB
4 FPTS
|
J. Grimes | 5 | 4 | 33 | 0 | 12 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. FullerÂ
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
W. Fuller | 7 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. MumpheryÂ
12 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Mumphery | 4 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 10 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. BlueÂ
28 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Blue | 4 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. FiedorowiczÂ
87 TE
7 FPTS
|
C. Fiedorowicz | 7 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. GriffinÂ
84 TE
1 FPTS
|
R. Griffin | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. AndersonÂ
89 TE
0 FPTS
|
S. Anderson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. RiceÂ
22 SAF
|
D. Rice | 6-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MooreÂ
43 SS
|
C. Moore | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. CovingtonÂ
95 DE
|
C. Covington | 4-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. PleasantÂ
35 DB
|
E. Pleasant | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HalÂ
29 FS
|
A. Hal | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HeathÂ
93 DE
|
J. Heath | 3-0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BulloughÂ
53 ILB
|
M. Bullough | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HuntÂ
33 RB
|
A. Hunt | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. PetersÂ
52 LB
|
B. Peters | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. NelsonÂ
32 DB
|
R. Nelson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
U. KamaluÂ
97 DE
|
U. Kamalu | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BouyeÂ
21 CB
|
A. Bouye | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JonesÂ
20 DB
|
D. Jones | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. JacksonÂ
25 CB
|
K. Jackson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. ScarlettÂ
57 LB
|
B. Scarlett | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. McKinneyÂ
55 ILB
|
B. McKinney | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. MercilusÂ
59 OLB
|
W. Mercilus | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ReaderÂ
98 DE
|
D. Reader | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. DempsÂ
27 SS
|
Q. Demps | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
N. NovakÂ
8 K
0 FPTS
|
N. Novak | 1/2 | 26 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
S. LechlerÂ
9 P
|
S. Lechler | 3 | 47.3 | 0 | 49 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. HuntÂ
33 RB
0 FPTS
|
A. Hunt | 2 | 14.5 | 19 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Ervin 34 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Ervin | 2 | 3.0 | 7 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. CasselÂ
16 QB
10 FPTS
|
M. Cassel | 16/26 | 150 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. HenryÂ
22 RB
12 FPTS
|
D. Henry | 15 | 65 | 1 | 14 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MurrayÂ
29 RB
2 FPTS
|
D. Murray | 11 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. MarianiÂ
87 WR
1 FPTS
|
M. Mariani | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. CasselÂ
16 QB
10 FPTS
|
M. Cassel | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
R. MatthewsÂ
18 WR
17 FPTS
|
R. Matthews | 13 | 9 | 114 | 1 | 50 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. WalkerÂ
82 TE
3 FPTS
|
D. Walker | 8 | 5 | 35 | 0 | 15 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. HenryÂ
22 RB
12 FPTS
|
D. Henry | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. SharpeÂ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Sharpe | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. MurrayÂ
29 RB
2 FPTS
|
D. Murray | 1 | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 | 2 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
W. WoodyardÂ
59 ILB
|
W. Woodyard | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WilliamsonÂ
54 ILB
|
A. Williamson | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CaseyÂ
99 DE
|
J. Casey | 4-2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. SearcyÂ
21 SS
|
D. Searcy | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. SpenceÂ
55 ILB
|
S. Spence | 3-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. SimsÂ
36 CB
|
L. Sims | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
An. WoodsÂ
75 DT
|
An. Woods | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ByardÂ
31 FS
|
K. Byard | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. JohnsonÂ
25 FS
|
R. Johnson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BlakeÂ
47 DB
|
V. Blake | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. McCainÂ
23 CB
|
B. McCain | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MorganÂ
91 OLB
|
D. Morgan | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. LewanÂ
77 T
|
T. Lewan | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Al. WoodsÂ
96 NT
|
Al. Woods | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. SupernawÂ
89 TE
|
P. Supernaw | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. StaffordÂ
24 SS
|
D. Stafford | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. OrakpoÂ
98 OLB
|
B. Orakpo | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. JohnsonÂ
94 NT
|
A. Johnson | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ReedÂ
32 DB
|
K. Reed | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. BrinkleyÂ
48 LS
|
B. Brinkley | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. PalmerÂ
50 LB
|
N. Palmer | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. JonesÂ
90 DE
|
D. Jones | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
R. SuccopÂ
4 K
0 FPTS
|
R. Succop | 1/1 | 35 | 3/3 | 6 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. KernÂ
6 P
|
B. Kern | 5 | 42.2 | 5 | 48 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. AndrewsÂ
26 RB
0 FPTS
|
A. Andrews | 2 | 2.5 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. MarianiÂ
87 WR
1 FPTS
|
M. Mariani | 1 | 19.0 | 19 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Mariani 87 WR
1 FPTS
|
M. Mariani | 3 | 13.7 | 18 | 0 |