Osweiler vs. Cook: Texans & Raiders Name Starting Quarterbacks For Wild Card Matchup

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With Tom Savage entering concussion protocol, Texans coach Bill O’Brien made the decision to name Osweiler as his starting quarterback for Saturday. Savage will serve as the backup, provided he completes concussion protocol without any setbacks.

Osweiler was benched three weeks ago against Jacksonville, and Savage led a second half comeback to earn the starting job. Savage wasn’t exactly electric in his only two starts, and was knocked out of the regular season finale in the second quarter.

Osweiler wasn’t always accurate this season, but had one of his best games as a Texan against the Raiders. In a Monday night game in Mexico City, Osweiler went 26-39 passing for 243 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders were trending towards the Super Bowl just a few weeks ago, but they’ve had disastrous luck at the quarterback position. Franchise QB Derek Carr broke his leg Week 16, and backup Matt McGloin injured his shoulder in the Raiders final game against the Broncos. McGloin has a pinched nerve in his shoulder, and his status for Saturday is uncertain.

For their first playoff game since 2002, Jack Del Rio confirmed the Raiders will turn to third-string QB Connor Cook. Cook, a 23-year old rookie from Michigan State, will be the first NFL quarterback to have his first career start come in the postseason in the Super Bowl era.