Houston Texans benching Kyle Allen, back to Davis Mills

The Houston Texans have benched quarterback Kyle Allen after two starts in favor of former starter Davis Mills.

Mills struggled in his first 10 starts, with a completion percentage of 61.9% and a passer rating was 78.1, ranking in the bottom 10 in the NFL in both categories. Mills' record as a starter was 1-8-1 and he threw 11 interceptions, which is third most in the NFL. Coach Lovie Smith switched to Allen to generate a spark for their 31st-ranked scoring offense (15 points per game) ahead of their Week 12 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

"When Davis was the starter, sometimes you need a relief pitcher to come in," Smith said.

But Allen also struggled in his two starts against the Cleveland Browns and the Dolphins, which resulted in a pair of Texans losses. He finished with two passing touchdowns, four interceptions and a lost fumble that was returned for a touchdown against the Browns. The offense averaged 14 points in Allen's two starts.

Mills returns as the starter as the Texans prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys (9-3) on the road for their Week 14 matchup.

"We expect two weeks of watching from the sideline to help," Smith said of Mills.