Advertisement

Deshaun Watson appears to be really, really good

Frank Schwab
NFL writer

Looking back, it’s incredible that Deshaun Watson didn’t start the season as the Houston Texans‘ quarterback.

And it’s fortunate for the Texans that Tom Savage was so bad in the opener. It gave coach Bill O’Brien no choice but to use a rookie quarterback who suddenly looks like Dak Prescott 2.0.

Watson was amazing at Clemson and he’s amazing so far with the Texans. Coming off a 300-yard game in a tough loss against the Patriots last week, Watson tied an NFL record for a rookie quarterback with five total touchdowns in a 57-14 blowout of the Tennessee Titans. The Texans set a franchise record for most points in a game. Many people thought the Titans might take over the AFC South this season. Watson has changed that narrative in a big way.

Deshaun Watson had a historic day against the Titans in Week 4. (AP)
Deshaun Watson had a historic day against the Titans in Week 4. (AP)

Everyone could look at the Texans the past couple years and figure out that they would be really good if they found the right quarterback. It appears they have found the right quarterback.

Why O’Brien came out of preseason believing Savage was his best option is perplexing. It’s hard to believe he watched Watson for four months in practice and thought Savage was the better bet to start Week 1. If O’Brien was not wanting to expose Watson because he believed Watson wasn’t ready, that was a terrible call too. Either way, O’Brien and the Texans got lucky when Savage was so bad in Week 1 that Watson had to be inserted by halftime. Houston is 2-1 since then with the loss coming in the final minute on a great Tom Brady comeback.

Watson is the quarterback the Texans needed. He looks good running the ball but has been a fantastic passer. On Sunday he was 25-of-34 for 283 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He also added 24 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Watson knows where to go with the ball and does a good job getting it there. He realizes his playmakers like DeAndre Hopkins can make plays if he gets them the ball (something Brock Osweiler never could figure out) and he can deliver it in a spot where they can make those plays. Watson was great at all those things at Clemson, too.

Maybe we all should have seen this coming. Even if it feels like there’s some pull-back coming and Watson will struggle like most rookies, there are no signs a slump will happen. There was never really a slump for Prescott last year, either.

Last season, Prescott ended up as the Dallas Cowboys‘ quarterback, he had a historic season and it changed the long-term outlook of the franchise for the better. It seemed like it would be a long time before another rookie quarterback like Prescott would come along. Actually, it appears it didn’t take long at all.

– – – – – – –

Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

More from Yahoo Sports:

• Protests continue during national anthem in Week 4
• Michael Lee: The NBA should allow players to take a knee
• O.J. Simpson released from Nevada prison
• Following protests, NFL owners searching for control