Texans protest owner, fall in Seattle
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks escape with a win despite another impressive game from rookie QB Deshaun Watson. Many Houston players took a knee during the national anthem in protests of comments made by their team’s owner.
SEATTLE — It’s not often Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas compliment an opponent, especially a rookie.
Watching Seattle’s defense get torn apart by rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Texans on Sunday had Sherman, Thomas and their teammates issuing praise rarely heard from the Seahawks’ defensive players.
“I’m not surprised at all. I think I ran my mouth too much this summer when we chilled,” Thomas said of Watson. “We’ve got the same agent, spent a lot of time together. I expect that out of him. He did that against Alabama in a big game. He tried to do it today.”
Defense was optional as Watson and Seattle’s Russell Wilson put together two of the best regular-season quarterback performances in league history in Seattle’s 41-38 win over Houston.
The Seahawks entered the week with the best scoring defense in the league, and proceeded to allow 21 points in the first 21 minutes of the game.
The 38 points were tied for the second most allowed by the Seahawks in a regular-season game since head coach Pete Carroll’s first season in 2010. High-scoring affairs have not been part of Seattle’s winning formula, yet Sunday showed the Seahawks have the capability entirely because of Wilson.
Wilson was responsible for 472 total yards passing and running. Houston’s defense had shown vulnerability, especially with the loss of J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus for the season because of injuries.
Wilson’s performance still was special. He capped it by going 80 yards in barely a minute and no timeouts, hitting Jimmy Graham on an 18-yard strike with 21 seconds left to take the lead.
Sherman and others on Seattle’s defense said Wilson’s performance bailed out the Seahawks. Wilson disagreed.
“It’s not about bailing anybody out. It’s about finding a way to win,” he said.
Even more impressive is what Watson did to Seattle’s defense. The Seahawks pride themselves on not allowing big plays, yet surrendered 509 total yards to Houston. The Texans had 10 plays of at least 20 yards, including touchdown passes of 72, 59 and 20 yards.
Watson was responsible for 469 yards passing and running. Watson’s first five starts were fantastic. His performance against Seattle — and willingness to attack defensive backs like Sherman and Thomas — was validation that he can thrive against any defense in any environment.
“The whole defense has a lot of playmakers, future Hall of Famers, All-Pros, a lot of veteran guys, a very good team,” Watson said. “A very, very smart team. They make you earn it.”
Before the game, all but 10 members of the Texans took a knee during the national anthem, as the vast majority of the team protested owner Bob McNair’s “inmates running the prison” comment.
The Texans had indicated there would be some type of protest following the comments by McNair. All of the team’s black players appeared to take a knee. At least one white player — Ben Heeney — also knelt.
The majority of Seattle’s defensive linemen continued to sit as they have for most of the season.