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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, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans rushes past DaQuan Jones #90 of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans rushes past DaQuan Jones #90 of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on November 26, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Performance

The reality of the Texans offensive line is that they are not great, but they are not as bad as they are made out to be. They give up an average of 3.5 sacks per game, which sits 31st in the NFL. According to TeamRankings.com, they are still giving up sacks at a 10-percent clip, but there is more to it than the raw stats.

As with every offensive line, there are some horrible reps. In Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts, Deshaun Watson was sacked five times. Colts defensive end Denico Autry had two sacks, and they perfectly exemplify the split in poor numbers for the offensive line.

The first comes on a missed assignment. A late shift by Autry allows him to slip between Nick Martin and Senio Kelemete for an easy sack. This is the poor side of the Texans offensive line, that being the missed assignments and unblocked pass rushers.

This hasn’t been the case though for all sacks this season, or even most of the sacks given up this season. The other sacks given up don’t fall squarely on the shoulders of the offensive line, but instead on Watson’s, whether he feels the pressure, or if he was holding onto the football for too long.

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