AFC South Power Rankings: Was Deshaun Watson the top QB in Week 1?

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a pass during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans throws a pass during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to throw a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 09: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans looks to throw a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

2. Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson didn’t have an exciting game to say the least in his return after tearing his ACL last season. Watson finished with 17-of-34 for 176 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Watson also rushed for 40 yards on eight carries.

Where should one begin to look in trying to figure out why Watson was so ineffective in Week 1 against the New England Patriots? Was it the fact that they were playing the reigning AFC champion Patriots? Was it the fact Watson hadn’t played in a regular-season game since the before the midway point of the 2017 season? Could it be that Watson didn’t play much during the preseason and he was rusty?

No matter the reason for Watson, the Texans will need more from him and the entire offense if they want to compete in the AFC South and not start off 0-2 in the season when they face the Tennessee Titans on the road in Week 2.

It is safe to say Watson will play much better as the season enters Week 2, and it will be exciting to see Watson when he’s playing at the top of his game. By the time Week 2 is complete, Watson will be back in the discussion of being a top quarterback for the week, and this past Sunday will be just a bump in the road on the path to the first Texans win of the season.

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