Deshaun Watson has always been a winner.
Going back to high school at Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia, Watson had the Red Elephants in playoff contention every season. At Clemson, Watson capped off his final two years with appearances in the College Football Playoff National Championship, beating Alabama at the end of the 2016 season.
During his rookie year as a first-round pick in 2017, Watson actually left the Texans with a 3-4 record when he tore his ACL on Nov. 2 and was done for the season. In 2018-19, Watson led the Texans to consecutive AFC South titles.
Starting 1-6 is unfamiliar territory for Watson.
“This is new to me, so, I’m going through it just like everyone else,” Watson said after Houston’s 35-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers. “This is my first time experiencing something like this, so, I’m just learning on the fly, trying to stay positive, continue to lead the guys, continue to come to work each and every day and try to improve, and just trying to find ways to win, and just continue to play hard, do my job and not try to do too much, and just kind of continue to do that.”
Watson did his job enough as he completed 29 passes on 39 attempts for 309 yards and two touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler even rushed seven times for 38 yards.
“So, yeah, it’s definitely new to me, and I’m just trying to find my way and continue to improve and have guys around me build me up, and I build them up, and we stick together as one,” Watson said.
The Texans are together as one, and saddled with a 1-6 record like a demerit in the NFL’s social credit score. Houston heads into the bye week to regroup and get ready to conclude their season series with the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on Nov. 8.