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Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson and the stigma around the offensive line

By Max Freedman

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans plays the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 4, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 04: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans plays the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 4, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 09: Kenny Moore #23 of the Indianapolis Colts sacks Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 09: Kenny Moore #23 of the Indianapolis Colts sacks Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans in the first quarter at NRG Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Stigma

The offensive line play of the Houston Texans was very poor in 2017. In the first game of the season, they allowed 10 sacks against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans offensive line didn’t improve, and the season-ending injury to mobile quarterback Deshaun Watson did not help matters either. Tom Savage closed out the season at quarterback for the Texans, and with Savage unable to make proper pre-snap reads and diagnose schemes, he was majorly susceptible to blitzes.

This season with the revamped offensive line, the expectations were much the same. Those who were signed were swing players on their former teams. The Texans were in desperate need of help though and they had been steady enough over some years to become starters.

Regardless of how the offensive line performs, the criticism will remain. This stigma is due to the fact that the offensive line has become a scapegoat for Texans fans and for national media. Contrary to the belief though, the offensive line has been performing relatively well since their early season struggles, including success with their run blocking.

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