Watson enters tough place to win in New England

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:41 AM Houston Texans starting quarterback Deshaun Watson is a savvy rookie.

The first-round draft pick and consensus All-American from Clemson is aware of the lengths the New England Patriots' defense will go to try to confuse him Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

"I expect (them) to throw all types of things at me," Watson said. "Different coverages, different schemes, different looks, and not try to stay in a base look where we kind of know what we're doing."

The Patriots have quite the history against rookie quarterbacks.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is 8-0 at home against rookie quarterbacks and 15-5 against rookies all-time. The rookies who beat the Patriots include the New York Jets' Mark Sanchez in 2009, the Cleveland Browns' Colt McCoy in 2010, the Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson in 2012 and the Jets' Geno Smith in 2013.

Watson went 3 for 10 for 102 yards during a preseason win against the Patriots in August. He rushed for a touchdown.

"I'm young," he said. "I'm new to the league. I'm a rookie. There's a lot I have to see and a lot I have to experience. So, you just have to take it one snap at a time. You take the opportunity as it comes and experience it."

Meanwhile, Belichick stuck up for Texans coach Bill O'Brien, his one-time assistant, when asked about criticism of O'Brien and how he runs his offense.

"He's a great coach," Belichick said during a conference call with Houston reporters. "I think Bill does a great job. He's an excellent play-caller and game-planner."

Belichick pointed out that O'Brien didn't take over a winning operation in Houston on the heels of the team firing Gary Kubiak.

The Texans have won consecutive AFC South division titles.

"He took over a 2-14 team that wasn't very good," Belichick said. "Had three straight winning seasons, won the division twice. He's brought a winning team to Houston."