When Brock Osweiler was benched and replaced by Tom Savage, he took on a new role as the highest-paid scout-team quarterback in NFL history.

In his four seasons as Peyton Manning's backup in Denver, Osweiler learned to run the scout team and help prepare the Broncos' defense, but he hadn't banked $37 million guaranteed like this season.

Osweiler's status as Savage's backup didn't last long. In Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Savage suffered a concussion, bringing Osweiler off the bench and back into the lineup.

Now Osweiler's back in the saddle for Saturday's AFC wild-card game against Oakland. He's hoping for a smoother ride after experiencing a disappointing regular season that ended with 15 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions - not to mention getting benched after falling behind 13-0 against Jacksonville.

"It's a dream come true," Osweiler said Wednesday. "These are the things you dream about and work for from a very early age. I couldn't be more excited. I will definitely be ready to go."

You might call this Osweiler's redemption game, an opportunity for him to play well, ignite a victory and perhaps silence some of his many critics.

"Obviously, nobody wants to be benched," he said. "I've experienced that. I think I handled it much better this time."

Last season with the Broncos, Osweiler was pulled from the last regular-season game, and Manning replaced him. The Broncos went on to defeat Carolina in Super Bowl 50.

Spat of no consequence

In his first season with the Texans, Osweiler's inconsistency has been alarming. When Bill O'Brien benched Osweiler against the Jaguars, Savage rallied the Texans to a come-from-behind victory.

In the next game, Savage won his first start against Cincinnati to clinch the AFC South title. Savage left the Tennessee game and has been declared out against Oakland. Now Brandon Weeden is the backup.

During halftime of the Titans' game, O'Brien and Osweiler could be heard shouting at each other in the coach's office. O'Brien played down the heated exchange Wednesday. Osweiler said what goes on between him and his coach stays with him and his coach.

Osweiler left O'Brien's office and threw for one touchdown and ran for another. He didn't throw an interception. If he plays that way against Oakland, the Texans should be able to win and advance into the divisional round.

"The team was able to win when I wasn't playing, and that's what it's all about," Osweiler said. "My role was running the scout team, and I gave my best effort to give my team the best look. I did everything I could to help Tom and be there when he had questions."

Naturally, Savage is disappointed to not play against the Raiders, who defeated the Texans 27-20 in Mexico City. Osweiler is fired up to be back. Missing two starts may have done him some good.

"Any time you're able to step back and look at things from a different perspective, you're going to learn different things," he said. "When you're pulled out of a situation and you have time to observe, I told myself if I got a chance to go back in to just have fun. Get back to the joy of football and what drew you into this sport at such a young age.

"When you're able to play for the love of the game, passion comes with that. I'm getting back to the things that drew me into this game - the love of it and how fun this sport really is."

'I'm very confident'

As the backup, Osweiler watched the Texans from a different vantage point.

"As it relates to players maybe being moved from starter to backup role, I think every coach and player learns from those situations," O'Brien said. "He's had an excellent week of practice. He's been on the money with what we're trying to do.

"He's a hard-working guy. He's prepared just like he has every week this season, as the starter or when he was the backup."

Osweiler has played well against the Raiders. He's completed 74-of-110 (67.2 percent) for 688 yards and two touchdowns. He has one interception and an 86.5 rating.

In the loss at Mexico City, Osweiler staked the Texans to a 20-13 lead in the fourth quarter before the defense collapsed and allowed Derek Carr to throw two touchdown passes to pull out the victory.

Osweiler finished with 26-of-39 (66.6 percent) for 243 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an interception.

"There are a lot of really good things you can pull from that game, but Oakland's watching that same tape," he said. "They're ready to give you different looks and play unscouted coverages and (use) some blitzes we haven't seen on tape."

Even though Saturday is the first time Osweiler will participate in a playoff game, he believes his four seasons in Denver helped prepare him for the Oakland game.

"I'm very confident," he said. "Being in Denver the past four seasons - two Super Bowl runs and the playoffs all four of those years - I was able to observe what goes into winning a playoff game.

"There's nothing different from a regular-season game and a playoff game. It's a normal game, but the stakes are higher."