Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has taken 13 sacks through the first three games of the season. The total is the highest number of sacks the two-time Pro Bowl has sustained through his first three weeks to start a season.
After the 28-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, coach Bill O’Brien acknowledged the offensive line could play better, but emphasized that pass blocking isn’t exclusively on the line; there are other factors in play.
“We got to protect him better,” O’Brien said. “Again, like I say, it’s not always the offensive line. Sometimes it’s getting rid of the ball a little bit quicker or tight ends and receivers, running backs understanding the protections and what we’re trying to do.”
According to Pro Football Focus, fixing the offensive line could go a long way towards protecting Watson.
Of the 5 O-lineman with 90 pass blocking snaps or more for the #HoustonTexans, only 2 have a pass blocking grade above 60, Nick Martins & Laremy Tunsil.
Subsequently, DeShaun Watson is ranked 4th in pressured dropbacks with 46.
Can the #texans fix that?#WeAreTexans
— PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) September 28, 2020
Watson has achieved more than David Carr in his Texans’ career, but it could end the same way: battered, shaken, and bro