Week 7 at Denver
After three-and-a-half quarters of not showing much, Brock Osweiler and the Texans offense woke up in the final minutes of regulation and overtime last Sunday night. Brock finished with a season-high 269 passing yards and two TDs. He’s thrown at least one TD in all but one game, however his eight INTs in six games is concerning. Osweiler returns to Denver for a Monday night affair. He has struggled in two road games this season, completing just 52 percent of his passes for an average of 190 yards with one garbage TD and two INTs. Consider him a low QB2 play.
Week 6 vs. Indianapolis
It was another road game and another brutal loss for Brock Osweiler and the Texans last week in Minnesota. While the offense didn’t get shutout this time and actually managed to score a garbage TD, Osweiler was just 19-of-42 for 184 yards with the late TD toss to DeAndre Hopkins. Brock has played much better in the three home games, which is good news for fantasy owners since he’ll be back at NRG Stadium on Sunday. The Colts are allowing over 300 passing yards per game, but still consider Osweiler a QB2 start.
Week 5 at Minnesota
After being shutout at New England in Week 3, Brock Osweiler and the Houston offense got off to a hot start at home last week against the Titans. In the win, Brock finished with 254 passing yards and two TDs, but he was also picked off twice. On the season, he has thrown for five scores, but also has six interceptions (including at least one in every game). Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning have had their troubles on the road against a solid Minnesota defense, and things will be tough for Osweiler as well. You’re better off searching elsewhere for your staring QB this week.
Week 4 vs. Tennessee
In the loss to the Patriots last Thursday, the Texans offense struggled mightily. During his time on the field, Brock Osweiler threw for 196 yards and tossed his fourth pick of the season. It was a miserable game all around for Houston. Back at home on Sunday, Brock will try to get things going again. In his first two games at NRG Stadium, he has averaged 250 passing yards, but should be considered a QB2 still against the Titans.
Week 3 at New England
After throwing for 268 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs on Sunday, Brock Osweiler and the Texans have a quick turnaround against a tricky New England defense. In the first two weeks, Brock has passed for 499 yards and three scores, but has also been picked off three times. With his team behind by four TDs in the second half last Sunday to the Pats, Ryan Tannehill threw nearly every down and led Miami back into the game before falling just short. However, Osweiler remains a QB2 play on the road.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City
In his first regular season game with the Texans, Brock Osweiler led his team to a come-from-behind win versus the Bears. On the afternoon he threw for 231 yards, a pair of touchdowns and an INT. He looked more comfortable and efficient as the game wore on and has a couple outstanding weapons to throw to in DeAndre Hopkins and rookie Will Fuller. Brock faces a Kansas City team that had all kinds of trouble stopping Keenan Allen before his injur, however he still makes for more of a QB2 play on Sunday.
Week 1 vs. Chicago
The new Texans QB opens the season against what was a poor Bears defense in ’15. With Denver last year, Brock Osweiler completed 62 percent of his passes for just under 2,000 yards with 10 TDs and six INTs. He has done a good job of commanding what is a complex offense while in Houston. He has a tremendous weapon to throw to in DeAndre Hopkins, but look for the offense to utilize Lamar Miller and the ball-control ground game. Osweiler should be considered a QB2 option in Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
The Texans put 72 million eggs in Brock Osweiler's basket based on an encouraging seven-game stint as the Broncos starting quarterback last season. To be accurate, Osweiler is guaranteed $37 million, but the point is Houston is all in on the 25-year-old's potential. Osweiler threw for 1,967 yards and 10 touchdowns against six interceptions while starting seven of eight games he appeared in last season. He has a solid supporting cast in Houston, led by budding superstar DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans invested in rookie Will Fuller in the hopes he can emerge as the starter opposite Hopkins, and brought in Lamar Miller to anchor the ground game.
Fantasy Downside
Not everyone believes Osweiler's ready for prime time, but Texans head coach Bill O'Brien gushed over Osweiler after watching every snap from the former Broncos passer. The young signal caller was hardly pristine during his seven starts with Denver last season, but O'Brien made it clear no young quarterback is perfect. "We all need to improve," O'Brien said. "I would say with Brock, just continuing to develop his skill set as a passer and being as accurate as he can be. I think he's an accurate passer, but you're always striving for 100 percent." Having Hopkins as his top receiving threat won't hurt, but Osweiler has much to prove.
2016 Bottom Line
Osweiler lacks the deep skill position personnel he enjoyed in Denver, but he certainly appears comfortable with the franchise and is just entering his prime, which could make him an intriguing mid-season play if the chips begin to fall into place.
Week 17 vs. San Diego
In the overtime win over the Bengals last Monday night, Brock Osweiler led the Broncos to the game-winning field goal by finishing 27-of-39 for 299 yards and a TD toss to Emmanuel Sanders. Brock has thrown only one or zero touchdown tosses in four of the past five contests. In early December in the win at San Diego, Denver was very conservative, with Osweiler throwing for 166 yards and a TD.
Week 16 vs. Cincinnati
In the loss to the Steelers last Sunday, it was once again the tale of two halves for Brock Osweiler and the Broncos. After throwing for three touchdowns and running for another in the first 30 minutes, he completed just seven-of-26 passes after halftime. While he had a great fantasy day with the four scores and 296 passing and 19 rushing yards, it looked like he was in line for a monstrous performance. Brock will be the starter again on Monday night against a Bengals defense that allows 244 passing yards per game, but should be considered a QB2 play.
