Deshaun Watson can take advantage of reeling Giants

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson dropped more than 300 passing yards on the Tennessee Titans in Week 2, and he could have similar success against a New York Giants defense that still won’t be at 100-percent in Week 3.

This is a comeback season for Houston Texans second-year signal-caller Deshaun Watson, who set the NFL ablaze in the first half of the 2017 season as a rookie before tearing his ACL. After a hiccup in Week 1 against the tough New England Patriots, Watson picked up where he left off last season by torching the rival Tennessee Titans.

Unfortunately, the Texans were unable to defeat the Titans despite Watson’s statistically impressive display, and they will need to right the ship in Week 3 against the New York Giants. Like the Texans, the Giants are also 0-2, but they are in an even less favorable situation.

According to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan, neither cornerback Eli Apple nor defensive end Olivier Vernon were available at practice today. These two key players on the Giants defense have not practiced at all this week, and Vernon hasn’t featured in a game this year due to a tricky high-ankle sprain that has made his timetable to return difficult to predict.

These two injuries open up an opportunity for the Texans offense, because Watson can take advantage. The Giants pass rush was non-existent in their Week 2 loss to Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys, so without Vernon out there, Watson could have all day to throw it to DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller vertically.

While New York has Janoris Jenkins at CB, they don’t have much depth behind him without Apple, meaning Houston can torch the Giants secondary with their highly gifted WR duo.

Watson averaged 9.7 yards per pass attempt in Week 2 after bouncing back from a rough start, which included a frustrating interception in the end zone into double coverage. The resilient Clemson product is Houston’s franchise quarterback, and he could deliver a franchise QB-type performance against a reeling Giants team that is searching for answers after back-to-back losses.

The Texans have their own questions to answer at 0-2, but Watson should be able to give the Texans a positive boost in Week 3. This is a favorable matchup for Watson and his wide receivers, as a few big plays to Fuller could be in order on Sunday afternoon.

Fuller, by the way, caught eight passes for 113 yards and a TD in Week 2 upon his return from injury, so an even healthier version of the Notre Dame product could spell disaster for Giants backup corner B.W. Webb.