Sun Devils in the NFL: Brock still struggling, Burfict slapped with fine, helps Cincy beat Browns

The Texans have a Brock Osweiler problem

The Houston Texans spent $37 million in guaranteed money to lure Brock Osweiler away from the Broncos this past offseason. This is pretty much what they’ve gotten so far:

https://twitter.com/JonHeathNFL/status/790784874521079808

That errant pass — ruled a fumble that was recovered by the Broncos — was the low point of another forgettable night for Houston’s pricey quarterback, his return to Denver resulting in numerous boos and a 27-9 Texans loss in which the road team made things competitive for only about a half-quarter. The ASU alum finished the game 22 of 41 for a measly 131 yards. He was sacked just once, but spent the evening throwing short, ineffective passes that did little to advance the ball.

It was a familiar pattern: Osweiler and the Texans have been fine at home, going 4-0 against some of the league’s lesser defenses. But in three games on the road against some of the league’s best — the Patriots, Vikings and now the Broncos — the Texans are 0-3. Osweiler completed just 52 percent of his passes in those road games and is averaging just 4.1 yards per attempt. His passer rating away from home is 58.1.

The folks at ESPN Stats & Info and other stats-based accounts kept busy Monday night noting just how ineffectual Osweiler was.

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/790768600688816129

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/790764826012385281

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/790761049813286913

https://twitter.com/NFLResearch/status/790766379313995777

Burfict slapped with $75,000 fine, no suspension

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict had a solid game against a depleted Browns offense, with five tackles and two sacks. Although the ASU alum is lucky to be playing at all after having escaped suspension by the NFL for his actions Week 6 against the New England Patriots, the league did fine him $75,000, according to multiple reports.

Burfict, who is appealing the fine, was docked for unnecessary roughness when he stepped on the foot of Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount. Blount was flagged for unnecessary roughness for his reaction to Burfict’s move.

https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/788157960010825728

A player’s history can be considered in assessing discipline and Burfict has been fined more than $200,000 since entering the league in 2012. In suspending him for the first three games of the season in January after several out-of-control moments and a vicious hit on Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild-card game.

Rookies

Name/Position/Number	Team	Selected	Standing	This Week's Stats
Christian Westerman, OG - No. 63	Cincinnati Bengals	5th round, 24th pick	Second-team right guard	N/A
D.J. Foster, RB - No. 27	New England Patriots	undrafted	Third-team running back	N/A

Other Alumni on Active Rosters

Name/Position/Number	Team	Years at ASU	Standing	This Week's Stats
Lawrence Guy, DT - No. 93	Baltimore Ravens	2008-10	Starting defensive end	1 tackle
Terrell Suggs, LB - No. 55	Baltimore Ravens	2000-02	Starting outside linebacker	N/A
Will Sutton, DT - No. 93	Chicago Bears	2009-13	Second-team nose tackle	N/A
Vontaze Burfict, LB - No. 55	Cincinnati Bengals	2009-11	Suspended	5 tackles, 1 sack
Marcus Hardison, DL - No. 91	Cincinnati Bengals	2013-14	Placed on injured-reserve (Sep. 3)	N/A
Damarious Randall, CB - No. 23	Green Bay Packers	2013-14	Starting left cornerback	N/A
Brock Osweiler, QB - No. 17	Houston Texans	2009-11	Starting quarterback	22/41 131 yds
Jaelen Strong, WR - No. 11	Houston Texans	2013-14	Second-team left wide receiver	1 rec. 8 yds.
Shawn Lauvao, LG - No. 77	Washington	2005-09	Starting left guard	N/A
Rashad Ross, WR - No. 19	Washington	2011-12	Second-team left wide receiver; starting KO RET	N/A

Notes

The Packers are going to be without their top available cornerback for several more weeks after Damarious Randall took a major hit to his road to recovery and underwent surgery over the weekend to repair a groin injury, according to a league source.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/790593446608113664

Randall hasn’t played in the Green Bay’s last three games and was first injured Oct. 9 against the New York Giants. He returned Oct. 16 against the Dallas Cowboys, but didn't make it through the first half.