NFL Wild Card Play-offs: Brock Osweiler finally looks like a $72million-man as Houston Texans beat Oakland Raiders before Seattle Seahawks power past Detroit Lions
Under-fire quarterback throws for a touchdown and runs in another as rookie Connor Cook struggles for Raiders on debut
BROCK OSWEILER finally looked like the $72million-man Houston thought they had signed in the summer as the quarterback fired the Texans past Oakland Raiders.
Osweiler, 26, was benched by head coach Bill O'Brien last month after a string of underwhelming performances over the regular season.
But he was back for the AFC South champions in Saturday's wild-card play-0ff at NRG Stadium, with replacement Tom Savage ruled out with concussion.
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And the former Denver Bronco threw for one touchdown and ran in another in the Texans' 27-14 win.
Raiders struggled on offence with rookie third-choice quarterback Connor Cook under centre after MVP contender Derek Carr broke his leg on Christmas Eve, and back-up Matt McGloin injured his shoulder last Sunday.
He became the first quarterback in NFL history to make his first start in a playoff game - throwing for 161 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions as Jadaveon Clowney continued to shine for the Texans' top-ranked defence.
Running backs Lamar Miller and Latavius Murray traded scores in the first quarter as a Nick Novak field goal gave the hosts a 10-7 lead.
Another Novak three-pointer and DeAndre Hopkins' two-yard TD - two plays after a 38-yard reception - made it 20-7 at the half.
Osweiler ran in in the fourth before Andre Holmes scored late on for the Raiders.
After setting up a clash with either the Kansas City Chiefs or New England Patriots in the Divisional Round, Osweiler said: "This was truly an ultimate team victory, and I'm very proud of this football team. It means a lot."
O'Brien added: "Overall, it was probably our best game of the year. I'm really proud of these players."
In Saturday's late game, Seattle Seahawks powered past Detroit Lions at CenturyLink Field.
Russell Wilson tossed two touchdown passes in the 26-6 victory, as Pete Carroll's side extended their home post-season win streak to ten games.
Thomas Rawls carried 27 times for a team play-off record 161 rushing yards and a touchdown to add to receiving TDs from Paul Richardson and Doug Baldwin.
Matt Prater kicked two field goals for the Lions.
Seattle now face a conference match-up with the Falcons in Atlanta next Saturday.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner said: "We're expecting a fight. They are rested. They are going to be hungry. But we're hungry too.
"We're going to come out and give them everything we've got."