Watson reason for offensive progress
Star quarterback touts system where ‘everyone’s a factor’
The Texans’ substantial improvement in the red zone and on third down can be linked to Deshaun Watson’s development in his third season as the starting quarterback.
Watson has helped the Texans rank first in the NFL on third down (51.4 percent) and tied for first with Buffalo in red zone touchdowns (71.4 percent). That’s a significant upgrade over 2018 when they were 24th on third down (36.2 percent) and 29th in the red zone (50 percent).
“We’re locked in, and everyone’s on the same page, and we’re executing,” Watson said Wednesday during preparation for Sunday’s game at Indianapolis. “A lot more opportunities means you get more chances to execute at a high level.”
Watson is playing behind a line that has improved each week, and he’s been blessed with so many weapons at wide receiver, tight end and running back. Defenses are having trouble stopping the Texans, whether it’s in the red zone, on third down or just about anywhere on the field.
“Everyone’s a factor,” Watson said about his skill position players. “Defenses can’t double one guy. Everyone can make plays. And everyone wants the ball.”
Watson has helped the Texans make significant gains on offense. They rank sixth in yards (396.8), including fifth in rushing (139.8) and 10th in passing (257). They’re eighth in scoring (27
points).
Their success on offense starts up front. The line is becoming more cohesive as it develops more stability. The familiarity helps with the communication.
Watson hasn’t been sacked in back-to-back games for the first time. Against the Colts, the Texans have an opportunity to go three consecutive games without allowing a sack for the first time in franchise history.
This is Watson’s third season working with coach Bill O’Brien, who oversees the game plan and calls the plays. First-year offensive coordinator Tim Kelly has worked under O’Brien since they were together at Penn State. And longtime NFL quarterbacks coach Carl Smith has played a role in Watson’s maturation, too.
“Timmy and Carl do a great job of teaching him what to expect every day — first and second down, third down, red area — and then he studies on his own,” O’Brien said. “Then the experience (he has) from playing and seeing all the different looks, he stores that in his memory (for) the next time he sees a similar look.”
The coaches tell anyone who asks it starts with Watson and his work ethic — the way he learns, prepares and plays.
“He’s a football junkie,” O’Brien said. “He loves football. He’s in here all the time watching tape and texting and emailing us about plays. I mean he loves it.”
O’Brien, Kelly and Smith do a good job of coaching Watson. He has a lot of input in what they do during the week and on gameday. They value his recommendations about things to try and his honesty about what he’s not comfortable with against a certain defense.
“He works to try to get better at what he’s seeing relative to
our offense and then what he’s studying on tape relative to the defense, and then he’s able to apply it on gameday,” O’Brien said. “Playing that position when you have that much talent and that much brain power, it’s all about preparation. I think he does a really good job of preparing.
“When you prepare like that and get a lot of experience and work that hard, you’re bound to improve.”
In O’Brien’s system, Watson is given a lot of freedom on Sundays. The coaches trust his knowledge of the offense and defense, and they believe in his decision-making.
“In our offense, that’s kind of the way it rolls,” O’Brien said. “The quarterback makes a lot of decisions. I think in this day and age of defensive football, there’s so many variables, so many things defenses can do that you’ve got to give the quarterback an ability to try to get you into the right play.”
Watson had a terrific season in 2018. And he’s even better through six games.
Watson’s 107.9 rating ranks fourth. He’s thrown for 1,644 yards and completed 69.7 percent. He has 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 164 yards and five touchdowns.
Watson is more comfortable in the system. He’s more confident reading defenses, making quick adjustments and then making the right decisions with the ball. And when he can’t find a receiver, he’s still not shy about running, which makes him even more difficult to defend.
Watson’s success is all part of an ongoing learning process that’ll never let up.
“He does a great job of studying tape,” O’Brien said. “He’s got really good football intelligence. He’s a very football-savvy guy. He understands coverages and fronts and how the two work together. He understands personnel.”
And Watson understands he can’t repeat mistakes that are part of his learning process. It seems like every time he’s on the field is a learning experience, whether it’s a loss to Carolina or victories over Atlanta and Kansas City — Watson just gets better and better in his quest to help the Texans reach their first Super Bowl.