Watson wows Texans as ascending star

Sep 26, 2017 - 6:55 AM HOUSTON -- Deshaun Watson looked trapped for a moment before redirecting while rolling to his left, utilizing his rare mobility and balance while New England Patriots defensive lineman Lawrence Guy got menacingly close to engulfing him.

Somehow, the Houston Texans' multidimensional rookie quarterback avoided the sack and threw across his body before being crushed by the 6-4, 305-pound veteran pass rusher. The spiral hit its target, the football traveling all the way across the field into the waiting hands of tight end Ryan Griffin.

It was a signature play Sunday for the precocious first-round draft pick in his second NFL start. He delivered a vintage Brett Favre improvisation during an encouraging performance in the Texans' 36-33 defeat to the defending Super Bowl champions at Gillette Stadium. The 35-yard completion in the third quarter led to Watson throwing a 12-yard dart in the back of the end zone to Griffin for a touchdown pass to cap the drive.

Although the Texans lost, Watson gave the defending AFC South champions a lot of reasons to be upbeat about finally having a talented, dual-threat quarterback who gives them hope after years of futility under center.

"He gave us energy, a chance to win, playmaking ability," Griffin said. "Can't say enough about him, I'm proud of him. There were a couple of times I thought the play was over, and he kept it going. I don't know how he saw me way over on the far sideline. He has a knack of knowing where guys are."

Watson completed 22 of 33 passes for 301 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for a 90.6 passer rating. It was another step forward for the 22-year-old Georgia native.

With his unflappable personality, Watson never seems to get rattled. His poise is uncommon.

"I'm just doing my job," Watson said. "That was the reason they got be to come here to try to help the team out and just do my job, be the quarterback, make good decisions and try to score points and get wins. It's pretty cool, but that's why they put me in this position because they feel that I can come help this team out."

The passes to Griffin weren't the only eye-catching plays from Watson. He repeatedly flashed his ability to elude pursuit and escape their pass rush.

"He's an exciting player," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's a player that never says die. You're always in the game with him. He can make plays on his own.

"I thought Deshaun played his heart out. He's a sharp kid. He's a fun guy to coach. He gets better every day. He's a special kid."

Watson displayed his trademark knack for rising to the occasion in a big-game atmosphere. He did his best to try to keep up with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who had a masterful performance with five touchdown passes and zero interceptions against an overmatched Texans secondary.

"I think we're growing as an offense with Deshaun," running back Lamar Miller said. "He does a great job of keeping plays alive and being a leader."

O'Brien operates as the Texans' offensive coordinator and is adapting his offense to suit Watson's primary strengths as a young quarterback, including his use of play-action, throwing on the move and having the green light to run the football when he needs to create something out of nothing.

"I just try to make plays as much as I can when nothing is there and try to keep the chains moving and move the ball and try to score points," Watson said. "Always think positive. You can't have any doubt when you step on the field at this level."

During the O'Brien era, the Texans have started nine different quarterbacks. That includes $72 million bust Brock Osweiler last year. The Texans are hopeful they finally have their franchise quarterback on the roster.

"Deshaun's doing some great things with his feet and has a lot of heart and is very poised," safety Eddie Pleasant said. "It's rare to see someone be like that as a rookie. He's going to be a great quarterback. I think he will bring a championship to this city."

How Watson conducts himself in the huddle is also impressive, according to rookie running back D'Onta Foreman.

"It's amazing, it's been fun playing with him," Foreman said. "He's very supportive. He encourages everybody as soon as we get in the huddle to start the series.

"That's big to be a rookie and come in and have the respect of the huddle and be able to conduct the offense. He's a great athlete. Hopefully, he can just keep it up and continue to play at a high level."

Watson regularly gets Foreman pumped up when the third-round draft pick from Texas is about to get some carries.

"If he knows I'm going to get the ball, he might say, 'Come on, we need some yardage,' for me to get going or whoever to get going," Foreman said. "I definitely respect that."

Foreman has seen the 22-year-old Georgia native handle plenty of adversity as he learns on the job.

"His poise is wonderful," Foreman said. "I can never tell if he's nervous or not. To come from college and step onto a big stage like that, to play a great team like the Patriots, you have to have the mindset of being somebody that lets mistakes go and not get down and never get too high when things go well."