The Houston Texans’ 2020 campaign has not gone according to plan.
The two-time defending AFC South champions stalled coming out of the gate with an 0-4 record that cost coach and general manager Bill O’Brien his job on Oct. 5. Aside from the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Texans can’t seem to beat anyone on their schedule.
At 2-7, it is “getting late early,” as Yogi Berra said, for the Texans’ playoff chances.
According to quarterback Deshaun Watson, the team simply must “keep pushing forward,” and the two-time Pro Bowler acknowledges the adversity provides an opportunity to showcase one’s true character.
“It really brings out true character and who you are and what you’re made of and, how determined and motivated you are to keep pushing forward,” Watson said. “Really, for me, just controlling what I can control.”
Watson has not thrown an interception since Week 5’s 30-14 win over the Jaguars at NRG Stadium. With a 107.0 passer rating through nine games, it is fair to say Watson has played winning football, though it is not proportionally reflected in the standings.
All the former 2017 first-round pick can do is be one of 11 on offense.
Said Watson: “Doing the best I can do as a quarterback, as a teammate, as a player. Not trying to do too much and being too much of a superhero because that can really turn out bad. Sometimes it can turn out good, but for me just really controlling and mastering my craft and doing what I can to try to get our team an opportunity to win games.”
Houston gets a chance to either get a win or show more of their true character against the New England Patriots Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at NRG Stadium in Week 11. The 4-5 Patriots seem to have figured things out while the Texans continue to struggle.