Last season, the Houston Texans won the AFC South and made the playoffs with a record of 9-7. Despite, winning the division, Houston had a revolving door at quarterback, which reared its ugly head on Wild Card weekend.
In the AFC Wild Card game, the Texans lost at home 30-0 to the Kansas City Chiefs, thanks to journeyman quarterback Brian Hoyer throwing four interceptions.
It was an utter disaster from Hoyer as the Texans knew that if they wanted to compete in a division that has Blake Bortles, Andrew Luck, and Marcus Mariota, they needed to find themselves a franchise quarterback. In free agency, Houston found their franchise quarterback as they signed Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million deal.
Osweiler’s deal had many fans and analysts doing a double take as he only played in eight games (started in seven) last season. In those eight games, Osweiler passed for 1,967 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Despite the small sample, the Texans and head coach Bill O’Brien were comfortable in making Osweiler the team’s franchise quarterback.
This season, Houston has a record of 2-1 but has not looked good on the offensive side of the ball. This was prevalent in last week’s game against the New England Patriots, where Houston was shutout 27-0.
Against New England, Osweiler played horribly as he threw for 196 yards and an interception. He also only completed 58.4 percent of his passes. It was strange to Osweiler struggle against New England last week because last season, he was one of the reasons why the Broncos defeated the Patriots 30-24.
In last season’s game, Osweiler completed 54.7 percent of his passes, but threw for 270 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
But unlike last season, Osweiler is under the microscope to perform week in and week out as he is Houston’s franchise quarterback. Over the Texans’ 15-year existence, they have never had a franchise quarterback, unless you want to put David Carr and Matt Schaub in that category.
Osweiler has the chance to change that notion, but hasn’t played up to the level that he did in Denver. This season, he has only completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 695 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. Those numbers will not help the Texans repeat as AFC South champions.
So should Texans fans be worried that Osweiler may become a bust?
Not necessarily, as we are only heading in Week 4 of the 2016 season. There is still a lot of football to be played from now until January, when the playoffs kick off. However, the Texans can’t afford to blow games to playoff teams as they are without superstar defensive end J.J. Watt for the rest of the season.
With no Watt, it is time for Osweiler to step up. This Sunday, he can get the ball rolling once again as Houston takes on the Tennessee Titans.
This season, the Titans have a record of 1-2 but have been competitive in every game. Their defense is only giving up 19.0 points per game, which is good for ninth in the NFL and they are only giving up 239.7 passing yards per game, which ranks them 12th in the league. Also, they are only allowing opposing teams’ quarterbacks to complete 56.5 percent of their passes.
However, with that being said, Texans could explode in this game as wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been quiet through the first three games this season and if Tennessee decides to double team him. Osweiler can always hook up with rookie wide receiver Will Fuller.
Nevertheless, Texans fans should not be worried about Osweiler because this is technically his first-year as a full-time starter. He will take his bumps and bruises like any quarterback, but should get better as the season progresses.
