Sun Devils in the NFL: Osweiler takes advantage of starting job, Randall comes up big for the Pack

Here’s your update on former Arizona State Sun Devils competing in the NFL Playoffs.

Osweiler keeps starting job with wild-card win

Brock Osweiler will remain the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans in the divisional round next weekend, head coach Bill O'Brien said Saturday.

Osweiler replaced Tom Savage in the Texans' Week 17 loss to the Tennessee Titans after Savage left the game with a concussion. Osweiler had been previously benched for Savage in Week 15 after he threw two first-half interceptions.

In Saturday's 27-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders in the wild-card round of the playoffs, Osweiler was 14-of-25 for 168 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a one-yard touchdown, and did not turn the ball over for just the third time this season in a game he started.

The Texans signed Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million contract during the offseason, but he has struggled for most of the season, with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 15 regular season games and Saturday's playoff victory.

Randall seals Packers win with Int

Randall had five tackles and three passes defended, including a game sealing interception with the Packers ahead 38-13 and less than a minute remaining, in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Randall was questionable heading into Sunday's game, but ended up playing in every one of the team's defensive snaps. His three passes defended were a career high, and his interception was the final nail in the coffin for the Giants' season. He and the Packers head to Dallas next week, where the defense will be matched up against a Cowboys offense that has been one of the best in the NFL all season.

Other Alumni on Playoff Rosters

D.J. Foster, RB - No. 27, New England Patriots: Third-team running back; Bye-week

Damarious Randall, CB - No. 23, Green Bay Packers: Starting left cornerback; 5 Tackles, 1 Int (win vs. New York Giants, 38-13)

Brock Osweiler, QB - No. 17, Houston Texans: Starting quarterback; 14/25, 168 yd, 1 TD (win vs. Oakland Raiders, 27-14)

Jaelen Strong, WR - No. 11, Houston Texans: N/A

Notes

There will not be any playoff victories for the Bengals this year, but at least they can enjoy a little schadenfreude.

Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict seemed to take some pleasure in learning Steelers coach Joey Porter was arrested over the weekend after Pittsburgh beat Miami in a wild card game.

“Isn’t he a coach, LOL” Burfict wrote on his protected Twitter page.

Porter has history with the Bengals, starting with his time as a Steelers player and continuing last postseason when he was on the field and drew a crippling 15-yard penalty on Adam “Pacman” Jones that set up an easy game-winning field goal.

According to the Associated Press, Porter was charged early Monday with assaulting a doorman at a bar and a police officer who intervened.