Houston Texans’ decision to rest Watson for Week 17 was the right one

The Houston Texans have decided to rest quarterback Deshaun Watson for Week 17 and this notion certainly bodes as a good one. Why is that the case?

Houston Texans fans — here were are, we’re at the sunset of the regular season and it will be interesting to see how this team rides off into it amid their clinching of a playoff berth last week.

This game will have a ton of implications but for the most part, the Tennessee Titans need to beat our team today in order to qualify for the playoffs and nab the last Wild Card spot.

I’m sure it won’t be easy for the Houston Texans as the Titans do have something very important to play for but there’s no question that this team wants to play spoiler to have them earn every bit of trying to claw their way into the playoffs.

It has been a few seasons where Week 17 actually didn’t have much meaning as it usually has been on the last day of the season where this team was able to clinch their playoff spot.  Luckily, that’s not the case but the team will still be watching the scoreboard to see how important this game could be.

Bill O’Brien has decided to activate A.J. McCarron as the starter for today’s tilt — it was flexed to a 3:25 p.m. CST kickoff — and Deshaun Watson has been designated as the backup.

I’ve been advocating for this move — I even wrote about it — for the past week and it’s good to know that Bill got off his high horse, came to his senses and realized that he needs his most valuable player rested and healthy.

DeAndre Hopkins will be dressing out as well but he will be limited in action — if at all — so he’ll

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be rested up for next week as well.  Hopkins was listed on the injury report with an illness and is officially categorized as questionable.  He was limited in practice Thursday but did not practice any other day of this week.

Watson took a lot of hits against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Saturday and he came out with a back injury plus I’m sure his right foot is bothering him in some way.

Giving him the rest he needs allows him to be ready to go against likely Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium next week but it could possibly be the Pittsburgh Steelers if the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the Los Angeles Chargers which is not likely.  The Chiefs have an opportunity to steal the No. 2 seed from the New England Patriots if they lose to the Miami Dolphins but I’m positive that notion isn’t happening as well.

Nonetheless — let’s get this win and get out this game healthy with the guys that will be playing today!

Go Houston Texans!