Watson at controls, stays controlled

Cool-headed QB directs Texans to win over Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. —

The Houston Texans were trailing late and facing a second straight loss after a ninegame winning streak. Deshaun Watson wasn’t having it. The cool-headed, playmaking quarterback threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins with 2:15 left, lifting the Texans to a 29-22 victory over Sam Darnold and the New York Jets on Saturday.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s able to stay controlled in those situations,” Hopkins said of Watson. “He’s done that before in big games in his career. On the sideline, everyone was composed. Nobody panicked.”

And no one was more in control than Watson.

“The game is never over for me,” he said. “The plays are never over sometimes. I just go out there with the ball in my hands, put the load on my shoulders and lead the team to victory. I’ve been doing that my whole life and I have to continue to do that at this level.

“Every game comes down to a final drive. You’ve got to be able to block out all the noise, lock in and try to lead the team to victory.”

After Darnold and the Jets (4-10) took their first lead of the game on Elijah McGuire’s 2-yard touchdown run, the Texans (10-4) answered right back.

■ At Denver, Baker Mayfield capitalized on the Broncos’ depleted cornerback

Browns 17, Broncos 16 —

corps in leading Cleveland to victory and keeping alive the Browns’ slim hopes of ending the NFL’s longest playoff drought.

Mayfield’s 2-yard TD toss to Antonio Calloway with just under 12 minutes left provided the winning margin for the Browns (6-7-1). They snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Broncos (6-8).

Improving to 3-28 on the road over the last four seasons, the Browns still have a shot at their first winning season since 2007 and even their first playoff berth since 2002 — albeit, just over 2 percent chance — thanks to their first win over Denver since 1990.

Calloway’s touchdown made it 17-13 and came with safety Justin Simmons in coverage because the Broncos were down five cornerbacks.

Bill Kostroun The Associated Press Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates his first-half touchdown catch with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J. The Texans beat the New York Jets 29-22.