Texans’ Deshaun Watson thinks it is ‘cool’ to lead the next generation of QBs

Houston Texans third-year quarterback Deshaun Watson is leading the next generation of quarterbacks, which includes Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson.

Quarterbacks aren’t what they used to be. No longer are pocket passers dominating the NFL. Corresponding with a league-wide uptick in passing efficiency is a Big Bang effect of scrambling, dual-threat quarterbacks.

Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson, along with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, and the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray and others, are ushering in the new generation of quarterbacks bound to take over the NFL, with each more of a two-way threat than the previous kings of the hill.

Watson, who is at the forefront of the MVP debate, sees that as only a positive. There are no guarantees in football, the leaders of the early 2010s are fading out, while the pioneers of the 2020s are pouring in.

“It’s good to have the generation that’s behind legendary Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks like Tom (Brady), (Drew) Brees, Aaron (Rogers), Ben (Roethlisberger), (Philip) Rivers, all of those guys. Who knows how long they’re going to continue to play and continue to be around. ”

On Sunday, Watson, 24, will face Jackson, 22, in an AFC showdown highlighting their MVP resumés. It will be the first of a potentially budding professional — previously, the two thrilled in a 42-36 Clemson over Lousiville win in 2016.

Watson — in his third year in the NFL — has the Texans at 6-3 and in the thick of the hunt for a first-round bye. He has passed for 2,432 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions on a 70.2% completion rate, culminating in a 107.1 passer rating. With his legs, he has fought for 279 yards and five touchdowns.

Jackson — now a professional sophomore — has Baltimore at 7-2 and in possession of a first-round bye. With his arm, Jackson has 2,039 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions on a 65.9% completion rate, worth a 101.7 passer rating. He leads the Ravens in rushing with 702 yards and six scores.

“So, you want that next generation to continue to have this league and have the NFL very exciting and have a lot of good teams and a lot of points being scored. It’s encouraging,” concluded Watson. “It’s very cool to be a part of that.”

Like Mahomes vs. Watson in Week 6, Jackson vs. Watson isn’t just a matchup between two of the NFL’s best. It’s an ushering in of the new NFL.

NFL’s 5 biggest surprises heading into Week 11: The Steelers deserve our respect

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made an incredible comeback.

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The 2019 NFL season is just zipping along, as Week 11(!) kicks off tonight when the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Cleveland to take on a Browns team that has been one of the biggest disappointments of the year.

But what a year it has been thus far for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, who are now holding on to the sixth playoff spot in the AFC after reeling off four straight wins thanks to a defense that has been carrying a young offense lead by backup QB Mason Rudolph.

So before Week 11 gets underway, let’s look at the five biggest surprises of the season so far.

1. The Pittsburgh Steelers deserve our respect.

As I stated above, the Steelers could have packed things up earlier this year and nobody would have blinked an eye. They lost Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown during the offseason and then lost Ben Roethlisberger to a season-ending injury in Week 2. They were 0-2 at that point and things looked bleak. Now if they beat the Browns on TNF they’ll move to 6-4, which will only help their playoff chances. Tomlin has done an unbelievable job with this team and deserves a ton of credit for what they’ve been able to do so far. The biggest change, of course, happened when they traded two picks, including a first rounder, to the Dolphins for Minkah Fitzpatrick. The safety has been a an absolute stud on a defense that has been one of the best in the league since he joined the team. The Steelers deserve our respect for such an incredible turnaround.

2. Lamar Jackson is so darn good.

The 32nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft is now one of the best QB’s in the league and is a legit MVP candidate in just his first year as the full-time starter. His ridiculous TD run against the Bengals last week was just another incredible highlight in what has been a dominant season for the former Heisman winner. He is on pace to break Michael Vick’s rushing record for a QB and he has the Ravens looking like a team that can contend for a Super Bowl title. Hard to imagine that Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold were drafted so far ahead of him two years ago because he’s so much better than both of those average QBs.

3. The Oakland Raiders aren’t a laughingstock.

Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock took a ton of heat in the preseason when they tried to deal with Antonio Brown, who we later learned was impossible to deal with. Now the Raiders are 5-4 and just a half game behind the Chiefs in the AFC West. Making things even better for them is that they host the winless Bengals on Sunday, which should be an easy win. I guess Gruden can still coach after all.

4. The Kansas City Chiefs… haven’t been great.

Many thought Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who were the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs last year, would be unstoppable this year. Well, they haven’t been. While Mahomes looked great in his first game back from a knee injury last week, the defense has been a different story. A loss to the Titans last week has the Chiefs sitting at 6-4 and it looks like the top seed in the AFC will go to someone else this year, which is a surprise. They travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers this week on Monday night and could very easily lose another game, which would be crazy.

5. The LA Rams are very mediocre at best.

Life has come at the defending NFC champs very quickly this year as they’ve been a shell of the team that looked so good last year before their loss to the Patriots in the Super Bow. QB Jared Goff, who got a big payday before the start of the season, has been terrible so far. He’s been so bad that our Steven Ruiz broke down this week why the Rams might be better off trading the former No. 1 pick. Making things even more confusing is that Todd Gurley has been a non-factor in key moments of games lately. Sean McVay was labeled a genius by many last year for his offensive ways, but now the banged up offense is predictable and average, which is a deadly combination. They host the Bears on Sunday in what looks like a must-win game for both teams that had high hopes coming into the season.

Wednesday’s biggest winner: Austin Rivers.

The Houston Rockets guard begged the refs to call his dad, Clippers coach Doc Rivers, for a technical foul in the final minutes of Wednesday night’s Rockets-Clippers game… and then loved it when they did and kicked his dad out of the game. Austin Rivers said after that the ejection of his pops, who traded him in the offseason, “made my night.” Now that’s a special father/son moment.

Quick hits: Nate Diaz pays back fan… More proof that Astros cheated… Trae Young’s best shots… and more!

– UFC star Nate Diaz did something pretty great for a fan who bet on him at UFC 244.

– This new video of the Astros cheating is something else.

– Take some time and watch the seven best shots of Trae Young’s NBA career so far. They are pretty great.

– James Holzhauer and Emma Boettcher will square off again tonight on Jeopardy!, which should be pretty awesome.

– You’re going to want to check out Charles Curtis’ fantasy football studs, duds, and sleepers heading into a pivotal week of NFL action.

(Follow me on Twitter at @anezbitt. It might change your life. Just don’t tell me about your fantasy team.)

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Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson more than game-changing QBs

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson aren’t just game-changers in the NFL.

Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott share one similarity. They are franchise quarterbacks for their respective teams.

Each is African American. They are, in 2019, pioneers of their position group, a position group that, historically, has been white.

They are the faces of multi-billion dollar organizations which don’t hope to win, but expect to win.

On Sunday, the NFL will get the joy of seeing two of the aforementioned play: Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson vs. Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson.

Watson and Jackson enter Sunday as bonafide MVP candidates. Watson with his 23 total touchdowns, 6-3 record and 107.1 passer rating; Jackson with his 21 total touchdowns, 7-2 record and 101.7 passer rating.

The two aren’t just talk of B’more and H-town, they are the talk of the nation — in doing so, breaking barriers.

Watson takes pride in that.

“It’s awesome to be a part of it and be one of those guys,” said Watson on Wednesday. “It’s something that we take pride in and continue to change that narrative and just continue to do it the right way.”

Watson can attest to a specific message: it doesn’t matter what the color of your skin is, if you can play, you can play.

Watson and Jackson can play.

“It really doesn’t matter what race you are, what color you are. If you can go play football, you can play football,” Watson said. “If you’re smart, you’re smart, and if you have the right coaching you can go out there and perform, especially playing quarterback.”

Sunday’s matchup between Watson and Jackson could contain never-ending thrills. Watson shines with his escapability, decisiveness and an ability to make the improbable probable; Jackson dazzles with his electricity, ankle-breaking footwork and his pursuit of greatness.

This anticipated showdown is a reminder of one grand truth: football is for everyone.

Lamar Jackson nominated for FedEx Air Player for Week 10

Thanks to another perfect passer rating, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been nominated for another FedEx Air Player of the Week award

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had a perfect game in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals. No, seriously — Jackson had a perfect 158.3 passer rating. That has him in the running for the FedEx Air Player of the Week award.

It’s the second time this season Jackson has been nominated for the FedEx Air award, winning it in Week 1 for his other game with a perfect passer rating. But Jackson has also won the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award this season — making him the only player ever to win both awards in a single season.

VOTE for the @FedEx Air Player of the Week!

— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2019

Jackson has some tough competition this week, going up against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. While Jackson has half the passing yards of Mahomes and fewer touchdown passes than Jones, he was the only player with a perfect passer rating in Week 10.

Jackson completed 15-of-17 passes against the Cincinnati Bengals for 223 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. While Jackson technically threw two incomplete passes in that game, one was a spike to stop the clock before halftime.

With how much criticism Jackson has gotten for his passing ability in his short career, it’s a little redeeming to see him up for yet another award specifically due to his arm.

Texans vs Ravens: Point spread, over/under for Week 11

The Baltimore Ravens are favored by 4.5 points over the Houston Texans, but the matchup is projected to be one of the highest scoring of Week 11.

The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens face off for a Week 11 encounter that features two of the most dynamic young quarterbacks in the game with Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson. Though the game is in the early game time slot on CBS, the implications and the matchup suggests one that will be worthy of late afternoon or prime time billing.

Odds-makers are giving the Ravens the advantage at -4.5, according to BetMGM, which are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the fifth-slimmest odds of Week 11. Keep in mind the Chiefs aren’t playing “at home,” but rather in Mexico City.

The point total for the game is 49.5, which is tied with Falcons-Panthers for the third-highest point total of Week 11. Only Chargers-Chiefs (52.5) and Saints-Buccaneers (50.5) have higher point totals.

In the history of the series, there have been three games that have gone over the 50-point threshold: Week 10, 2008 (54), Week 7, 2012 (56), and Week 14, 2010 (62). While Joe Flacco was the starting quarterback for the Ravens in all three of those games, Matt Schaub started in two of them. Sage Rosenfels was the Houston starter for the 2008 encounter. Who knows what Watson and Jackson will tally?

The game is a preview of a divisional playoff matchup, if the Texans can get that far. Currently, the Ravens are projected to have the No. 2 seed in the conference while the Texans are the presumptive No. 3. In wild-card scenarios, the highest wild-card goes to the lowest divisional host. As it stands, a playoff rematch would take place at M&T Bank Stadium. If the Texans beat the Ravens Sunday, that could flip-flop with the Texans the No. 2 seed and NRG Stadium the site for a future playoff rematch.

For more information on the rest of the NFL and college football, please check out our sister site, the Sportsbook Wire.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Texans vs Ravens: Time, TV schedule and streaming info for Week 11

The Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens square off for Week 11 at M&T Bank Stadium. Find out how to catch the potential quarterback shootout.

The Houston Texans get back in action with one of the most challenging games on the schedule as they prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens on the road.

While it is a continuation of the great ACC showdowns between Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, it is also one of the earliest bouts for first-round bye supremacy. Currently, the Ravens are 7-2 and have one of the biggest tiebreakers in all the NFL with a win over the New England Patriots. If the Ravens and Patriots tie, Baltimore achieves home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

But what if the Ravens don’t catch the Patriots? That’s why the Week 11 encounter is so significant. If that happens, then a win for the Texans gives them the tiebreaker of the Ravens, and they would have it immediately as both teams’ records after a Texans win would be 7-3.

Beating the Ravens probably won’t have an impact on Houston’s postseason qualification as there are still six more games to go and three more AFC South games. However, in terms of securing the franchise’s first ever first-round bye, beating the Ravens goes a long way. In terms of the city’s NFL team having a first-round bye, this feat has not been seen around Harris County since January 1994 with the Houston Oilers.

To get ready for the Week 11 action here is important game day information so you can catch the game. Follow the @TheTexansWire and the crew (@therealmarklane, @averydduncan, @ChrisNallsNFL, @arwoodNFL, @CotyDavis_24, @Get_Crumped, @MrRadioMann, @RondilMedia, @JonFuentesMMA, @somesportsguyy).

You can live stream the game on FuboTV (try it free).

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens — Sunday, Nov. 17 at 12:00 p.m. CT

TV channel: CBS (Ian Eagle & Dan Fouts)

Live stream: FuboTV (try it free)

Radio: Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM), Mega 101 (KLOL-FM) (Marc Vandermeer & Andre Ware)

Location: M&T Bank Stadium

Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 42 degrees, 12 mph wind

Referee: Alex Kemp

Odds: Ravens -4.5

Ray Lewis jokes he’d return to Ravens to play with QB Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the talk of the NFL world and has some even joking about returning to the field.

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The Baltimore Ravens seemingly have something special going for them this season. With dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson leading a unique offense that has been on fire, they sit at 7-2 with a hefty lead in the AFC North standings and a hold on the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff race. It has legendary former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis joking about suiting up again.

On Showtime’s “Inside The NFL,” Lewis jokingly said he told owner Steve Bisciotti he still has “two quarters left” in him and he could come back to play with Jackson this season.

Lewis especially praised Jackson and Baltimore’s offense for being able to stretch out drives when needed. Against the New England Patriots in Week 9, Jackson led back-to-back touchdown drives late in the game that took just under 18 minutes off the clock in a 37-20 victory. While Lewis had a Hall of Fame career with Baltimore, he never played on a team with an offense as capable as what the Ravens have right now.

“If you all are holding the ball for seven minutes on a drive, and then nine minutes on a drive, I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve never had that in my career,'” Lewis continued.

The Ravens lead the league in time of possession, holding the ball for 34:07 per game, and points per game (33.3), so Lewis has a solid point here. The offense being able to sustain drives has helped keep an inconsistent Baltimore defense stay fresh late in games. In previous years, we’ve seen the defense falter in the second half and give up leads. But by putting up enough points early and keeping the ball out of the hands of the opposing offense, Baltimore has coasted to huge victories in recent weeks.

While Lewis is joking about a return to the sport after retiring seven years ago, it highlights just how quickly Jackson has earned respect in the league. With his leadership and playmaking ability, Jackson has clearly won over not only his own teammates but has seen plenty of opposing players give him high praise. As chants continue to grow for Jackson to win the NFL’s MVP award this season, the Ravens will continue to see people jump on his bandwagon.

Jackson’s energy and the respect he’s earned could cause priority free agents to choose the Ravens over more money from lesser teams. That could pay dividends as general manager Eric DeCosta continues to build up a young but talented roster.

6 Ravens who should go to their first Pro Bowl in 2020

While football is a team sport, several Ravens players have been playing at a high level. It might earn these six their first Pro Bowl nods.

The Baltimore Ravens are having a great season. They sit at 7-2 and have defeated some of the best teams in the NFL to get there. With a quarterback that is hot on the MVP trail, an offense that is seemingly too tough to defend and a defense that is improving rapidly every week, Baltimore looks like they’ll be going far this season.

For as much as football is a team sport, there are a bunch of individual Ravens players having stellar years that deserve to be recognized. With such a young roster, plenty of them have yet to get the notoriety on a national stage, but we’re here to fix that.

These six players very well could have earned their first Pro Bowl nominations with their play this season. Of course, you can always help by voting for your favorite Ravens players.

QB Lamar Jackson

We start off with the guy in the mix for the NFL’s MVP award. If Jackson doesn’t get a Pro Bowl nod this season, the league might just have to do away with the whole game.

Forget about the stats — though there are plenty to use as reasoning for Jackson to be in the Pro Bowl. Jackson has been electric on the field this season, both with his legs and arm. He’s made Pro Bowl players tackle thin air and he’s torched some solid secondaries. The NFL’s all-star game is supposed to highlight the best and most exciting players, and Jackson is the epitome.

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Lamar Jackson wins second straight AFC Offensive Player of the Week award

Lamar Jackson’s perfect passer rating and spectacular rushing won the Ravens quarterback his third weekly award of the 2019 season.

For his work in Week 10 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson earned another AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. It’s his second consecutive week winning the honor and his third of the season through just nine games.

Jackson completed 15-of-17 passes for 223 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, marking his second perfect 158.3 passer rating this season. Jackson also dazzled on the ground, adding 65 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven attempts, including a highlight-reel 47-yard scamper.

Jackson continues to pile up AFC Player of the Week awards, which has him in the mix for the NFL’s MVP award this season. With Baltimore sitting atop the AFC North standings and holding the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC playoff picture at 7-2, Jackson has helped put the Ravens at the top of the league. If he continues to play like he did in Week 10 against the Bengals, this won’t be Jackson’s last award this season, though he might have to miss the NFL Honors ceremony to prepare for Super Bowl LIV.

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Do the Texans even have a player who can emulate Lamar Jackson in practice?

The Houston Texans will have to figure out how to defend Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson. Whitney Mercilus shares the details.

While preparing for Sunday’s tilt with the Baltimore Ravens, the Houston Texans may run into an issue: emulating the dual-threat skill set that quarterback Lamar Jackson presents.

Though the Texans boast their own dual-threat star, in Deshaun Watson, they won’t be using him to help train the defense to adjust to Jackson’s play-style. Nor will A.J. McCarron do so, considering, as a quarterback, he is a polar opposite.

“As far as the quarterback goes, we don’t have — besides Deshaun — a person that has the same skill set as Lamar,” said outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus on Tuesday on the Texans Players Show on Sports Radio 610.

Watson and McCarron won’t prepare the defense to face Jackson. Dual-threat/wide receiver/gunner Joe Webb also won’t be able to do so, either, as he is on the injured reserve. Instead, Houston will turn to second-year practice squad quarterback Alex McGough.

“We have McGough at quarterback, so he is the closest thing that we have in order to give us what Lamar might do — shaking and baking and all that to the best of his abilities,” said Mercilus.

Though McGough can’t quite replicate Jackson’s running totals (702 yards, six touchdowns in 2019), he doesn’t run as if he is in quick-sand. At Florida International, the quarterback earned his fair share of fans for his scrambling and ability to pinpoint passes on the run.

If McGough’s legs don’t cut it, however, the Texans may just opt to put in a running back or wide receiver to replicate Jackson’s savvy, speed and agility as a runner.

“Come Wednesday, that may change,” said Mercilus. “We may just put a running back in there at the quarterback position and run plays all day. Kind of just mix it up.”

Whatever Houston does wind up doing, they must get one thing down for certain: be prepared. The Texans cannot be caught flat-footed against Jackson; he will scorch them. Luckily, as Mercilus alludes to, they seem to have a plan.