With Ryan Tannehill out another game with a shoulder injury, the Miami Dolphins will once again start former Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler.
The partnership between Houston and Osweiler went south fast. After signing a substantial four-year, $72 million deal, which included $37m guaranteed in the first two years of the contract, Osweiler was a major bust with the Texans. In his lone season with the franchise, he tossed more interceptions (16) than touchdowns (15) for a lowly passer rating of 72.2.
Osweiler’s relationship with head coach Bill O’Brien didn’t go well either, and Houston were so eager to rid of the quarterback that they gave the Cleveland Browns a second and sixth-round pick to take him off their hands.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney didn’t mince words when asked about Osweiler’s tenure in Houston in the lead-up to Thursday.
“He ain’t here no more, so I don’t really care for him,” Clowney said. “We didn’t win a lot with him.”
Osweiler’s time with the Texans turned him into a bit of a punchline in the league, but so far this season, he’s done well in relief of Tannehill.
Through three appearances, the 27-year-old has thrown for 654 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions for a passer rating of 107.0, which is a better mark than the ones Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers hold this season.
For both Osweiler and Houston, Thursday represents an opportunity at revenge.
The Texans come into the match-up winners of four straight, their first such streak since 2015, as they appear to have put their early-season struggles behind them.
Houston’s defence in particular is starting to click and has allowed an average of just 12.0 points over the last three games.
In Clowney and J.J. Watt, the Texans have two elite pass-rushers who can make Osweiler’s life difficult in his return to NRG Stadium.
