Texans bench their $72 million quarterback Brock Osweiler and the fans gave the backup a standing ovation

Eric Christian/AP

The Houston Texans benched quarterback Brock Osweiler midway through the second quarter against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday after he went 6-of-11 for 48 yards and two interceptions. 

Osweiler, who spurned the Broncos in the offseason to sign a $72 million contract with the Texans, now has 16 interceptions on the season to go with 14 touchdown passes. His interceptions against the Jags came on consecutive passes and led directly to ten points for the Jaguars. 

Tom Savage took over with roughly eight minutes left in the half and the fans went nuts: 

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Here's Osweiler's second interception, a terrible decision to force a pass deep in his own end of the field: 

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Osweiler has struggled mightily during the bulk of his first season in Houston. Still, the Texans have managed to take the lead in the AFC South at 7-6. It's unclear for now whether Osweiler will remained bench going forward (and potentially into the playoffs), or if it's just because he didn't have it today.

Either way, it's never great when you pay a quarterback $72 million in the offseason, and then have to bench him in Week 15 against a two-win team because he can't stop throwing interceptions. 

The Texans will pay Osweiler $21 million this season, including his $12 million signing bonus. His $16 million salary for next season is fully guaranteed.

Eric Christian/AP

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