It’s time to put some respect on Deshaun Watson’s name
By Josh Hill
Houston Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson collected the most important moral victory of his young career.
Not a single rookie quarterback has ever gone on the road and beaten the Patriots during the Bill Belichick era. Deshaun Watson wasn’t able to break that streak but he had himself a day that fans in Houston need to be proud of.
Houston wasn’t able to get the win, but Watson gave the Patriots his best shot and almost succeeded in just his second career start. If that isn’t proof that we need to take serious notice of Watson that what is?
What more does Watson have to do than go on the road and beat the Patriots to be taken seriously? It’s not like it was a low-scoring game that was won by the defense. The Texans quarterback went 21-for-31 and threw for almost 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Say what you will about the lack of confidence in the Patriots defense, but do so considering that Watson is a rookie.
That cannot be overstated enough.
Some might say that it’s a fluke, but you don’t just stroll into Gillette Stadium and have a lucky day. The Texans might have a fair share of problems, but Watson and injected some energy into Houston’s offense and that has a residual effect.
How Bill O’Brien ever thought it was a good idea to star Tom Savage over Watson is going to be one of the greatest mysteries of football. But in the end, it says less about O’Brien than it does about Watson’s ability.
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It wasn’t perfect, and there were issues that need to be fixed. Watson failed to call a timeout on the second-to-last play of the game that could have given the team a shot to get into field goal range. Houston might not win the Super Bowl, and might not even make the playoffs, but Watson has to be taken seriously as the real deal after his showing against the Patriots.