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          NFL Nation

          Texans unsure what they have in Brock Osweiler after disastrous Denver return

          • Sarah Barshop, ESPN Staff WriterOct 25, 2016, 03:37 AM
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              Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated. You can follow her on Twitter @sarahbarshop.
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          DENVER -- This was not the homecoming Brock Osweiler envisioned.

          In the quarterback's first game in Denver since he signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Houston Texans during the offseason, he struggled to get the offense going.

          Osweiler finished 22-for-41 for 131 yards without a touchdown in the 27-9 loss. He also fumbled early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for Houston.

          Osweiler averaged less than 3.2 yards per attempt, which is the lowest for an NFL quarterback in a game this season, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information. Entering the game, the lowest average in a game was 3.7 by Rams quarterback Case Keenum in Week 1.

          He was inaccurate throughout the game, especially on deep passes. Osweiler was 0-for-6 on throws more than 15 yards downfield.

          The Texans didn't find much success getting the ball to their two starting wide receivers. Though Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins was targeted 12 times in the game, he had just five catches for 36 yards. Rookie receiver Will Fuller had four catches for 22 yards on seven targets, though he had a drop in the first half.

          At running back, starter Lamar Miller split carries with Alfred Blue. At halftime, head coach Bill O'Brien told ESPN's Lisa Salters that Miller tweaked his shoulder, but that he should be OK. He finished with 11 carries for 61 yards.

          After three road games, the Texans are now 0-3 and have been outscored 85-22 away from NRG Stadium this season.

          The defense kept the Texans in the game. They started the game well, forcing three-and-outs on their first three possessions. That matched Denver's total first-quarter three-and-outs on the season entering the game, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. But, on the next two drives, quarterback Trevor Siemian led Denver down the field and the Broncos quickly took a 14-6 lead.

          Two of the Broncos' last three scores -- a third-quarter touchdown and a field goal to extend the lead to 24-9 -- came after the Texans ended back-to-back drives with fumbles.

          Now, the Texans have a short week before they play the Detroit Lions at home on Sunday and after seven games, though they are 4-3, they are no closer to finding out what they have in their franchise quarterback.