Instant analysis: Deshaun Watson leads Texans to win over Titans despite up-and-down effort

Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson’s statistic performance fluctuated, but his heart led his team to a 24-21 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Texans fans were privy to the entirety of the Deshaun Watson experience in Sunday’s 24-21 win over the Tennessee Titans. Watson finished the day with 243 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions on 19-of-27. Some of the throws made were reminders of why the Texans can win on any given Sunday. Others reminded Houston of why their young quarterback still has room for growth. It was a roller coaster.

To begin, Watson is still a wizard. There were a few moments worth highlighting. He displayed incredible accuracy and patience when finding Deandre Hopkins and Will Fuller far down the field on multiple occasions. The explosive plays were a huge part of turning momentum back towards Houston on multiple occasions Sunday.

The second quarter touchdown to go up 7-0 after Whitney Mercilius’ interception was a thing of beauty. Watson easily looks off the safety before dropping a perfect pass over cornerback Tye Smith. This pass had very little room for error with the back-line looming and it was placed exactly where it needed to be.

Make no mistake Watson played a phenomenal game. However, a few boneheaded mistakes made the contest far closer than it needed to be. To begin, the Texans opened the game with a phenomenal nine-play, 54 yard drive. The tenth play, where Watson failed to identify safety Kenny Vaccaro barreling towards Duke Johnson, nullified what would have surely been first quarter points the Texans have struggled to find this season.

Although a very well disguised coverage, this interception probably doesn’t happen without the off-balanced throw. Poor decision making would later rear it’s head when, up 14-7, Watson had a ball batted down on the goal-line. Even if not batted down, multiple Titans blanketed Fuller in a pass that should never have been thrown.

Overall, the Texans offense continues to be highly dynamic and occasionally anemic with Deshaun Watson at the helm. Making every throw and then some in a desperately needed victory over Tennessee, most Houston fans should be perfectly content to ride the wave.