Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson impresses in primetime again, tops Patriots

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HOUSTON — Deshaun Watson claims he doesn’t treat prime-time games any differently, but in the Houston Texans‘ 28-22 victory on Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots, the quarterback again put on a show.

In nine career prime-time games, Watson now has thrown 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions. In his starts, the Texans are 6-3.

And on Sunday night, Watson had that success against the Patriots, who he had not beaten in two previous tries. In his first victory against New England, Watson completed 18-of 25-passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns.

It was the fifth time this season that Watson had three or more passing touchdowns, which is the most in a single-season in Texans history, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Entering the day, the Patriots had allowed four passing touchdowns all season and had forced 15 interceptions. On Sunday, the Texans had four passing touchdowns and no interceptions thrown.

Watson’s third touchdown took two tries. On second down midway through the third quarter, Watson found Will Fuller V in the back of the end zone for what was ruled a 35-yard touchdown. The play was reviewed and eventually overturned, when officials ruled Fuller did not have control of the ball. On the next play, Watson threw a similar pass to wide receiver Kenny Stills that gave the Texans an 18-point lead after the extra point.

The Texans’ fourth touchdown of the game came on a trick play. On first and goal, running back Duke Johnson took the snap and handed it off to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who threw a touchdown pass to Watson.

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Deshaun Watson pitches the ball to Duke Johnson Jr., who gives the ball to DeAndre Hopkins who tosses to Deshaun Watson for a score.

It was the first catch of Watson’s career and Hopkins’ first career completion. Watson is the first player with three passing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown in a game since Jim McMahon did it in 1985, according to Elias. He is only the fourth player in NFL history to accomplish that in the regular season, joining McMahon, Frank Ryan (Los Angeles Rams), and Ray Buivid (Chicago Bears).

The Texans’ victory was only their second in franchise history against the Patriots — the other was in Week 17 of the 2009 season. Entering the game, Houston had lost eight games in a row to New England. The win was also Texans coach Bill O’Brien’s first against his former boss, Bill Belichick. Entering the game, Belichick was 5-0 against O’Brien, then his best record against a former assistant.



Source : ESPN