Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has been the only great thing going for the 4-8 AFC South franchise.
While the run game has been nonexistent for Houston, the defense can’t stop the run, can’t generate turnovers, and the coach and general manager were fired on Oct. 5, there has been one constant that indicates the Texans can still be winners in the future. All they have to do is execute their soft rebuild.
According to pro football film analyst Alex Rollins, Watson has thrived after the firing of coach Bill O’Brien. Rollins showed plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3, the Tennessee Titans in Week 6, the New England Patriots in Week 11, and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13 that demonstrate how the former 2017 first-round pick has grown as a field general. Watson doesn’t get as fooled easily these days, and he also has developed pocket patience.
Through the first four games, whereas Watson was feeling pressure immediately during the first four games, taking 16 sacks through the first four games, the two-time Pro Bowler has succumbed to just 17 over the past eight games.
Arguably the most telling statistic for why Watson has been playing better has been the interception total. Watson threw three interceptions in the first four games with O’Brien. Since interim coach Romeo Crennel has taken over, and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly has had wide latitude as play-caller, Watson has thrown three interceptions in the last eight games.
Rollins believes what the Texans’ general manager and coaching candidates will have to consider when they are looking at the team is that Watson is one of his generation’s best quarterbacks — like Patrick Mahomes, but if he had the organization crumbling all around him. Whoever the Texans bring in, they will have to respect Watson’s ability, his growth, and not cram him into a box fitting a vision that may not be compatible with his skills.
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