Redeem team thumps Oakland
Osweiler, Clowney have strong games; QB Cook struggles
Associated Press
HOUSTON — Brock Osweiler redeemed himself after last month’s benching. Jadeveon Clowney established himself as a postseason force.
And the Texans got their first playoff victory since the 2012 season Saturday against the Raiders.
Osweiler threw for a touchdown and ran for another to lead the Texans to a 27- 14 wild- card playoff win over the Raiders. Clowney got his first career interception.
Osweiler, benched Dec. 18, got his job back this week with Tom Savage out with a concussion and played his best game of the season. It was the first career playoff game for Osweiler, who was benched for Peyton Manning before the postseason last season with the Broncos, and coach Bill O’Brien said he’ll start again next week. Osweiler finished with 168 yards passing.
“It just goes back to having confidence in my teammates,” Osweiler said. “Believing in what you see and just rip it. Cut it loose and don’t have any hesitation. I trust that my teammates, the skill guys, they’re going to be where they’re supposed to be, and they’re going to make me look good in the end.”
Houston and its topranked defense, led by Clowney and Whitney Mercilus, bounced back after an embarrassing 30- 0 wild- card loss to Kansas City last season to advance to face the Chiefs or Patriots in the divisional round next weekend. Clowney was roundly criticized in his first two injuryplagued years before starring this season to help make up for the loss of J. J. Watt.
“Those guys picked me No. 1; they [ saw] something in me,” Clowney said. “Things didn’t go well earlier in my career, but I’m on the right track now. Things are coming together, I’m healthier. I’m playing good ball, and we’re all coming together and playing good defense.”
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.
“It was his first start, on the road, in a playoff game, against the No. 1- ranked defense,’’ coach Jack Del Rio said. ‘‘ It was a tough draw for him. We had hopes that we would be able to do enough around him, so he wouldn’t have to do as much.”
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 last Sunday.