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Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson’s 3 keys to success in third season

By Stephen Forsha

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 30: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans warms up before playing the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 30: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans warms up before playing the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans runs past Telvin Smith #50 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at NRG Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans runs past Telvin Smith #50 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at NRG Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

3. Decision Making Under Pressure

This is much easier said than done, especially coming from someone who has never played in the NFL. For the safety of Deshaun Watson the goal of the franchise quarterback needs to be making quicker decisions when under heavy pressure.

Again, making decisions with 250-to-300 pound grown men looking to cause physical harm is much easier said than done. For the Texans to have success in 2019 Watson must be at his very best each game or the Texans will suffer in a big way.

Watson rushed the ball 107 times last season, and according to Pro Football Focus 65 of those rushes were QB scrambles, where he rushed for 481 yards (7.4 yards per carry) with one touchdown. What was impressive inside of that stat is 277 of the yards gained out of the 481 yards were after contact.

Here is what stands out the most about Watson — who was the 51st ranked player in the 2019 NFL Top 100 — the fact he has yet to play in a total of 30 games in his career. Plus, those 481 yards on QB scrambles were a season removed from an ACL injury as a rookie.

Houston should be thankful to have a quarterback with the rushing abilities that Watson has, and if the play of the offensive line improves the pressure Watson will be under less than he was a season ago, leading to possible better decision making.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe
to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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