Osweiler poised for Texans’ home debut
Dave Campbell looks at a few of the more interesting matchups among Saturday’s NFL pre-season games. All times Eastern:
ALL EYES ON OSWEILER New Orleans at Houston, 8 p. m.
All eyes will be on No. 17 for the Texans as Brock Osweiler makes his home debut. Osweiler played four series last week at San Francisco, going 4 for 7 for 27 yards and failing to lead the Texans to any scores. He’s the new quarterback after signing a $72-million contract to leave Super Bowl champion Denver.
The Texans and Saints held j oint practices this week. Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who played only one series last week at New England, is expected to last a little longer this week before getting the hook.
BAD- LUCK BILLS New York Giants at Buffalo, 4 p. m.
Buffalo will play its first game at the newly renamed New Era Field, after the Buffalo-based apparel company bought naming rights for the former Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills sure could use a break from a spate of bad news that has persisted throughout their off-season.
Just this week, linebacker IK Enemkpali was lost to a season- ending knee injury and starting defensive tackle Marcell Dareus received a substance- abuse policy suspension for the first four games of the regular season from the NFL.
The Giants have slated quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to play after resting last week.
MOVING UP Kansas City at Los Angeles, 9 p. m.
The first pick in the draft, quarterback Jared Goff, is expected to take turns with the first team for Los Angeles. Transitioning from a spread offence at Cal to a prostyle scheme with the Rams, Goff has struggled at times in training camp with snaps and footwork under centre.
In the second game for the Rams back in Los Angeles, running back Todd Gurley, defensive end Robert Quinn and cornerback E. J. Gaines will play after sitting out last week.
Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles will get some time against his former team. Foles signed with Kansas City two weeks ago to back up Alex Smith.
FAMILIAR FOES Baltimore at Indianapolis, 7 p. m.
Andrew Luck is expected to make his first start for Indianapolis since November when the Colts host Baltimore in a reunion of sorts among coaching staffs. Colts coach Chuck Pagano and new defensive co- ordinator Ted Monachino both worked for Ravens coach John Harbaugh before leaving for Indianapolis, giving them a little insight into what Luck should prepare for in the second week of the pre-season with his appearance expected to last a quarter or so.