Sports

Osweiler returns to lead Texans over Oakland 27-14

Saturday, January 7, 2017
Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio speaks with officials during the first half of an AFC Wild Card NFL football game. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook (8) is hit by Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the second half. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders quarterback Connor Cook (8) is sacked by Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders strong safety Nate Allen (20) runs out of the backfield. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) watches play against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an AFC Wild Card NFL game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders' SaQwan Edwards (30) eludes the tackle of Houston Texans' Stephen Anderson (89) on a punt return during the second half. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) kicks away against the Houston Texans during the second half of an AFC Wild Card NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans defensive back Don Jones (20) ties up Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) during the second half. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) scores on a two-yard run against Oakland Raiders' Cory James (57). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) tackles Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) after Holmes scored a touchdown. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) tackles Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) after Holmes scored a touchdown. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders defensive back SaQwan Edwards (30) runs past Houston Texans defensive end D.J. Reader (98) during the second half. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, left, speaks with Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien an AFC Wild Card NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs against Oakland Raiders strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) during the first half. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) tackles Oakland Raiders defensive back SaQwan Edwards (30) during the first half. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a touchdown catch against Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans strong safety Corey Moore (43) tackles Oakland Raiders defensive back SaQwan Edwards (30) during the first half. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) works against the Oakland Raiders. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) works against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an AFC Wild Card NFL game. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Brock Osweiler, quarterback de los Texans de Houston, corre para lograr un primer down, frnete a Mario Edwards, defensive end de los Raiders de Oakland. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a touchdown catch against Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith (21). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) scrambles for a first down against Oakland Raiders defensive end Mario Edwards (97). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) calls for interference call against Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Johnny Holton (16) misses the catch against Houston Texans strong safety Corey Moore (43). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) makes the catch ahead of Houston Texans free safety Andre Hal (29). (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Brock Osweiler finally looked like the player Houston spent $72 million on, throwing for a touchdown and running for another to lead the Texans to a 27-14 wild-card playoff win over the Oakland Raiders on Saturday.

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Osweiler, benched on Dec. 18, got his job back this week with Tom Savage out with a concussion, and played his best game of the season to give the Texans their first playoff victory since the 2012 season.

Houston bounced back after an embarrassing 30-0 wild-card loss to Kansas City last season to advance to face either the Chiefs or New England in the divisional round next weekend.

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Texans Tavern tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
Texans Tavern tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
Texans Tavern tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
Texans Tavern tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Bull Blastin' tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Bull Blastin' tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Bull Blastin' tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Bull Blastin' tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Brewsing Bull tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Brewsing Bull tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Brewsing Bull tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Brewsing Bull tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Crossroad tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Crossroad tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Crossroad tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Crossroad tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Crossroad tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Crossroad tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Trend Up tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Trend Up tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Trend Up tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Red, White and Blue tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Red, White and Blue tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Red, White and Blue tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Red, White and Blue tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Texans Bus tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Texans Bus tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Texans Bus tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The Texans Bus tailgate outside NRG stadium.none
The "Bull Runners" tailgate outside NRG Stadium.none
The "Bull Runners" tailgate outside NRG Stadium.none
The "Bull Runners" tailgate outside NRG Stadium.none
The "Bull Runners" tailgate outside NRG Stadium.none


The Raiders' first trip to the playoffs since the 2002 season, when they went to the Super Bowl, ended with a thud behind the struggles of third-string rookie Connor Cook. He threw for 161 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions against the NFL's top-ranked defense.

He became the first quarterback in NFL history to make his first start in a playoff game after MVP contender Derek Carr broke his leg two weeks ago, and Matt McGloin injured his shoulder on Sunday. His performance wasn't helped by star left tackle Donald Penn missing the game with a knee injury, which ended a streak of 160 straight starts.

Houston (10-7) led by 13 at halftime and made it 27-7 on a 1-yard run by Osweiler early in the fourth quarter.

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Brock Osweiler, Houston's much-criticized quarterback, threw for one TD and ran for another.

Since the Texans did defeat the Raiders, they will advance to the divisional round. Who they play will depend on the Miami/Pittsburgh game that will be held Sunday at noon. If the Steelers win, the Texans will play at New England Patriots next Saturday. If the Dolphins win, the Texans will play at Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.



The Associated Press' Kristie Reiken contributed to this report.
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