When the $72 million man threw two first-half interceptions, Houston Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien was left no other choice. O’Brien benched starting quarterback Brock Osweiler for backup Tom Savage midway through the second quarter in the Texans’ 21-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The quarterback position is considered by some to be the lifeblood of a football team. O’Brien felt that benching Osweiler for Savage would revive this offense and give the unit the best chance to win.
“I just felt like that was the best decision at that point in time for the team,” O’Brien said. “We don’t make decisions on how much a guy gets paid. We make decisions on what’s the best way to win a game. That was the decision we made today and, I thought today, it worked out OK.”
The struggles the former Broncos first-round pick has had in his first year as a starter has been well documented. In the team’s last four games, Osweiler has 64 completions out of 107 attempts for 643 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions with a 59.833 QBR.
With the division title and playoffs hanging in the balance, the Texans need a spark.
“[I] feel like Tom Savage gives us the best chance to win,” O’Brien said at his Monday press conference. “We will see what he can do for us Saturday against the Bengals.”
Protecting the football is something that is a top priority for any team. Savage played well in relief of Osweiler, finishing 23-of-36 for 260 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown but most importantly, he threw no interceptions in two-and-a-half quarters of work.
Savage will make his first NFL regular season start in two years as the Houston Texans face the Cincinnati Bengals.