Off week gave Watson time to self-evaluate

Rookie quarterback working to build on an impressive start

Before coach Bill O’Brien gave his players a six-day vacation during the off week, he had some instructions for rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson.

O’Brien told Watson to get some well-deserved rest — mentally and physically — but also to use his time off as a learning experience.

“We talked about going back and watching all the plays from the games he played and really focusing not just on his own play but also defensively,” O’Brien said on Wednesday. “Just continuing to evolve and learn about NFL defenses.

“I think that’s some of the biggest strides he can make in his rookie year: continue to learn about how these guys play defense. It’s so much different than what he was used to seeing at Clemson.

“And then, I wanted him to get ahead and start looking at Seattle.”

Sunday’s game in Seattle will be Watson’s toughest test yet. The Seahawks are 4-2 with a three-game winning streak. Setting new standards

Watson has 15 touchdown passes and two more rushing, giving him 17, tying Brock Osweiler’s output last season and putting him two shy of the totals produced by Ryan Fitzpatrick (2014) and Brian Hoyer (2015).

The Texans are 3-2 in Watson’s five starts and 3-3 overall. O’Brien wanted his quarterback to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation during the break and return rejuvenated and pumped about the final 10 games.

Watson used his time wisely — three days devoted to football and three to chill — before the Seattle game.

“Worked out, recovered the body, did some conditioning (and) I watched a lot of film of myself,” Watson said. “Self-evaluation, trying to correct the mistakes I made and trying to build on that.”

Watson knows what parts of his game need to improve.

“Make better decisions, ball placement, quicker reads, pocket awareness,” he said. “Just try to operate the offense as best as I can.”

Since Watson became the starting quarterback, the Texans average 34 points a game. They averaged 39 in their last four games and 29 for the season.

They’ve scored at least 33 points in four consecutive games.

“I think the best thing I’ve done is being able to execute at a high level and operate this difficult offense as well as I’ve done and make sure everyone is on the same page,” he said.

Watson has excelled in the red zone. Last season, the Texans were 31st in red zone touchdowns. This season, they’re fourth.

“When we get in the red zone, we have the mentality that we need points, and we’re not satisfied with three points,” he said. “We try to get touchdowns each time we get in there.”

The Texans scored touchdowns on 40.9 percent of their trips into the red zone last season. Only the New York Jets (35.2) were worse.

They’ve scored 65 percent this season.

“Everyone’s trying to get open and make a play,” Watson said about their dramatic improvement in the red zone. “They know the ball can be anywhere.”

No one knows that better than wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, who have combined for 11 touchdown receptions. That ties them with Green Bay’s Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams for the most of any starting twosome in the league.

“I think what he’s done best, other than make amazing throws, is keep his composure through all four quarters,” Hopkins said about Watson. “That’s his mentality.

“I think you’re born with that mentality. It’s been helped by him playing in so many big games.”

Fuller missed the first three games while recovering from shoulder surgery. He’s made a spectacular return. Five of his eight receptions have been for touchdowns.

“It’s fun to play with him,” Fuller said. “(He’s) calm and collected. It’s fun being in the huddle with him.” Ability vs. availability

In the huddle or on the sideline, Watson has a calming influence on his teammates, unusual for a rookie. They’ve developed the utmost confidence in his ability to make plays.

Now, they have to make sure he stays healthy, especially going against a physical defense like Seattle’s. They don’t want him to end up like Aaron Rodgers, who underwent surgery on his shoulder last week.

“I always try to protect myself and try not to take any unnecessary hits, but that’s part of the game,” Watson said. “There’s only so much you can control, especially (because) the game speed is superfast. You can’t focus on that. You’ve just got to play.”