Houston Texans: Why Deshaun Watson should start from this point forward

The Houston Texans had one of the worst season openers that I could remember but Deshaun Watson has proven he should be the starter from this point forward.

The Houston Texans had a complete meltdown with both of their units this past Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. From the opening drive, things looked promising as NRG Stadium was so loud that it caused Blake Bortles and the rest of the Jags’ offense to commit a false start.

But after that, Bortles went 3-for-5 for 43 yards to allow Jason Myers to bang one in from 43 yards with 12:12 left in the 1st quarter. You would’ve thought that the Houston Texans would’ve responded brilliantly with a great drive of their own but it was marred with miscues.

Tom Savage’s debut

Tom Savage‘s debut as the Houston Texans featured starter crashed and burned but the crazy thing is that it’s not all his fault. The entire offensive line played like garbage and there was no end in sight to end the beating that he was taking from the Jags’ ferocious and talented linemen on defense.

Calais Campbell had perhaps one of his greatest games of his career, being able to sack Savage 3.5 times today and I’m sure he’s going to have nightmares about No. 93 running at him with intensity, trying to take him down. Savage simply didn’t look like he was ready for prime time and did not respond well to the pressure that was put on him under center.

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One can blame the offensive line but it all comes down to the innate ability to create when the times are tough. After all, that’s what quarterbacks do and rest of the team is looking to take their lead. Savage ended up being six times before being pulled after the half in favor Deshaun Watson.

Savage finished the game passing 7-for-13 for 62 yards with no touchdowns/interceptions for a 66.8 rating. This goes to show that when he got an opportunity to pass the ball, he connected but he just couldn’t get it done with the pocket would collapse.

There were also many occasions where Savage had the time but held onto the ball too long and he’d get sacked yet again by someone else on the Jags’ defense.

Watson gets the nod at the half

But let me tell you something — when Watson was brought in the first half, I was shocked because I didn’t think he was going to make the decision so early in the season. He had been so hell-bent on Savage so I expected to see him out there. Was I wrong! I actually had the pleasure of attending today’s game and the crowd roared as loud as it had been during the starting lineups when Watson marched out onto the field.

The first drive he led was quite uplifting with it being 75-yards, 14 plays with seven first downs for a total of 5:51 to complete with a four-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins. But after that, he looked more like a rookie QB, not throwing the ball accurately when needing to throw deep and having being forced to make throws that he didn’t necessarily want because of the pressure the Jags’ were putting on him.

Although he recorded just one interception today, he could’ve had two had Myles Jack pick had not been called off as a result of the illegal use of hands penalty on Dante Fowler Jr. with 9:22 left in the third. The one that counted certainly hurt the most after being picked off from Tashaun Gipson for a 67-yard jaunt to the end zone with 3:45 left in the game. By then, the stadium had emptied out and any semblance of heart on the defense went away with those fans on the way out.

All-in-all

The difference between Savage and Watson is that the latter can run as well improvise his way out situations and is not afraid to do it. He’s durable and knows his body can take the hits for those plays. We know Savage’s durability isn’t all that great so he was cautious with his body and did not want to risk further injury to himself.

This isn’t necessarily what I envisioned in Watson’s debut as I thought were going to know well in advance but he should be the starter moving forward. I don’t want Bill O’Brien going back-and-forth on QBs, let’s stick with the guy we traded up for in this year’s draft and have him learn on the fly. He just seems like that type of player anyway.

I had so much belief of a vision that Savage would be able to beat the odds and have a terrific season to get him a deal with a new team and Watson officially makes his debut NEXT SEASON. But this is the real world and we just need to trot him out there sooner than we expected. Again, he’s not 100 percent polished but he knows enough to try to keep those chains moving.

Next: Four surprising Texans roster cuts

Watson completed 12-for-23 of his passes for 102 yards with one TD and one pick for a 60.4 rating.

And that’s the end of that chapter.

Go Houston Texans.

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