Deshaun Watson has become an elite NFL quarterback.
After a comfortable 41-25 victory over Detroit on Thanksgiving, Deshaun Watson and his Texans currently find themselves at 4-7 and are most likely out of playoff contention. But there’s hope.
Since sacking Bill O’Brien, the franchise has gone from an 0-4 start to 4-3 on the season. And Watson is a major reason for the turnaround. Against the Lions yesterday on primetime television, Watson threw four touchdowns and had over 300 yards.
Watson’s football IQ, throwing ability, and play extension are MVP-calibre, as the numbers bear out. In 2020, Watson is projected to throw for 4,500+ yards, 35 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions.
The Texans’ offensive schemes rely heavily on Watson’s mental and physical capacities, and he hasn’t disappointed. Using multiple TEs and running backs to mix up blocking assignments, together with lots of play-action, too, the Texans are able to keep defenses on their toes.
Watson often has three or four options per play, and the key to success is making the right reads. He often does just that.
He is also a master of the play extension. Against New England, for example, Watson scrambled out of the pocket and bulldozed two defenders as he powered into the endzone. Against the Raiders last year, Watson spun out of a pass rusher grip, took a shoe to the face, and–with one eye closed–made a perfect throw-on-the-run to Darren Fells for a TD.
What’s the bottom line? With Deshaun Watson at the helm, never rule out the Texans.
