Brian Hoyer on Texans debut: 'It couldn't have gone any worse'

After being pulled in the fourth quarter of Houston's 27-20 season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Texans starting quarterback Brian Hoyer said he understood why head coach Bill O'Brien benched him.

“That’s Coach’s decision, and I can see why he did that,” Hoyer said, per the Houston Chronicle. “It couldn’t have gone any worse, you know what I mean. Obviously, I feel terrible. I feel like I let this whole entire organization down. It just went from bad to worse. I really just couldn’t fight back.

“That’s Coach O’Brien’s decision. I respect the hell out of him and whatever he feels is best for the team I think that’s what he will do and we’ll just see where it goes."

Hoyer, who won the starting in job in training camp, was removed after completing 18 of 34 passes for 236 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a lost fumble. He was also sacked four times. Hoyer's interception came on his first play of the afternoon.

“It just started bad,” Hoyer said. “Poor execution, lack of communication and you never want to come out and start the game that way. I think that was bad. There were some good drives. There were times where we were able to put the foot on the pedal and get things going. The other times, they just sputtered out and you can’t have that.”

Mallett, who completed 8 of 13 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, said he was ready for the opportunity to play and would continue to be, whether he starts or not.

“I’m going to prepare every week like the starter, whether that’s the case or not," Mallett said. "That’s the only thing I can do to help this football team win games. That’s why I’m here. That’s all I care about.”

O'Brien has yet to indicate whether Hoyer or Mallett will start next Sunday on the road against Carolina.

(h/t Houston Chronicle)