Fantasy Upside
Brock Osweiler has a chance to earn the starting job in Cleveland. Veteran lineman Joe Thomas revealed Osweiler is being groomed to be the starter, and he's been named the team's starter for their second preseason game. He has experience as a starting NFL quarterback, after leading the Texans last season. He has more experience than any other quarterback on the roster.
Fantasy Downside
While Osweiler does have experience, it's not good. He was awful for the Texans last season, and it made the Texans trade him away, along with a second-round pick just to not have him on their roster. Osweiler was one of the worst quarterbacks on the field last season, as he finished with more interceptions (16) than touchdowns (15) in 15 games.
Bottom Line
There's a strong chance Osweiler finishes as the team's starting quarterback, but if he does, he's not worth selecting in redraft. There's very little appeal to any quarterback in Cleveland at the moment, and Osweiler feels like the worst of them all.
Divisional Round at New England
In the win over the Raiders in the Wild Card Round, Brock Osweiler did not turn the ball over, allowing his team to be in control for nearly all of the game. He finished with 168 yards and a TD through the air and also ran for a score. Five of Brock’s 14 completions went to DeAndre Hopkins, something that will need to continue if the Texans are to advance past the Patriots. In the shutout loss at New England in September, Osweiler was held to 196 passing yards with an interception. Again, there is no reason for him to be on a fantasy roster in Round Two of the playoffs.
Wild Card Round vs. Oakland
Coming in for the concussed Tom Savage last week at Tennessee, Brock Osweiler posted some good numbers and will start the Wild Card game. Brock passed for 253 yards and a touchdown and also ran for another TD. Before being benched after 14 games during the regular season, he threw for nearly 3,000 yards with 15 TDs, but was picked off 16 times. Earlier this season in Mexico City, Osweiler tossed for 243 yards and a TD versus Oakland, but there are far better QB options for your fantasy playoff roster.
Week 15 vs. Jacksonville
In the win at Indy last Sunday, Brock Osweiler threw for just 147 yards and tossed his 14th interception of the season. The Texans ran for 185 yards and controlled the ball for over 36 minutes, again allowing Brock to be a game manager. He’s thrown for less than 250 yards in seven straight, including last month at Jacksonville, when he passed for just 99 yards, but two touchdowns. The Jags are No. 4 against the pass, so look elsewhere for your starting QB.
Week 14 at Indianapolis
In the snow at Lambeau Field last Sunday, Brock Osweiler actually turned in a decent fantasy performance. He threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 20 yards. It was just his second multiple TD game since mid-October. Brock led a late rally to beat the Colts at home in Week 6, throwing for 269 yards and two scores, but he should only be started if you’re in need of a QB.
Week 13 at Green Bay
After posting his best game of the year the week before, Brock Osweiler was back to reality last Sunday in the home loss to the Chargers. He threw for 246 yards, but was picked off three times, without a TD. It wasn’t all bad for Brock, though, as he did scramble for 23 yards and a one-yard touchdown dive. Osweiler’s 13 INTs are tied for the league high and he’ll be facing a Green Bay D that played pretty well last Monday in Philly. Keep him on your bench this week.
Week 12 vs. San Diego
Brock Osweiler had his best game since Week 6 in Monday’s loss to the Raiders. He completed 67 percent of his passes for 243 yards through the air and another 19 on the ground. He also tossed both his 12th TD and 10th INT of the season. San Diego is No. 28 against the pass, but despite the decent performance last week, Brock remains a QB2 start.
Week 11 vs. Oakland
In the win at Jacksonville last Sunday, Brock Osweiler was just 14-of-27 for 99 yards, but did throw two TDs to his TEs. He continues to be a game manager and hasn’t passed for more than 200 yards in four of the Texans last five games. The Raiders allow over 280 passing yards per game, but can you really trust Osweiler after his past month of inefficiency?
Week 10 at Jacksonville
Two weeks ago in the win over the Lions, Brock Osweiler was an efficient 20-of-29 for 186 yards and a touchdown. In three of his past four games, Brock has thrown for under 200 yards and he’s averaging just 214 passing yards per contest. The Jaguars have a solid pass defense, so Osweiler should be considered a QB2 play.
Week 8 vs. Detroit
In the loss at Denver last Monday, Brock Osweiler struggled against a good defense. He threw for just 131 yards on 41 attempts, continuing to have issues on the road. Luckily for him and fantasy owners, Brock will be back at home on Sunday, facing a Lions defense that allows 273 passing yards per game. Osweiler remains a QB2 play, even with the favorable matchup and his WR weapons.
