Texans Coach O’Brien: “Thank God Watson is Our Quarterback”

The Houston Texans overcame a late push of the New York Jets, in the opening game of Saturday’s NFL programme, and defeated the rival with 29-22.

When Elijah McGuire rushed for two yards with exactly 5 minutes to go until the end, most of the home team fans saw another win of their rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. The drive which lasted for almost seven and a half minutes was thought to be a game-changer, as the Jets took over the lead for the first time in the contest, 19-22.

But DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson didn’t see it that way. After two minutes, Watson connected Hopkins with a 14-yard TD pass which once again brought the lead to the guests.

Watson ➡️ Hopkins

Texans (-7) respond to take back the lead!

Deandre Hopkins to score 2 TDs: +430 💰

Texans 25 – Jets 22 with only minutes to playhttps://t.co/F6yIARFFqj

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) December 16, 2018

“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s able to stay controlled in those situations,” Hopkins said about Watson. “He’s done that before in big games in his career. On the sideline, everyone was composed. Nobody panicked.”

Coach Bill O’Brien was short on Watson in the post-game conference.

“Thank God he’s our quarterback,”

Still, Jets had another chance, but all they could do is to hand over the football to the Texans after four downs which couldn’t be converted into another push.

J.J. Wat did what was expected from him, and he had a perfect timing while doing it. One of the best defenders in the league, sacked Sam Darnold in that drive, at third-and-7, forcing him to lose 7 yards. It was a crucial moment.

“It wasn’t pretty by any means,” Watt said. “It was a hard-fought game. It was a battle.”

In the next possession, Ka’imi Fairbairn scored his 5th field goal of the day, sealing the fate of the hosts. Houston’s kicker was outstanding at Met Life Stadium, and for one second he didn’t look uncertain.

As Watt said this game was no beauty. From the start, both sides were trying to be tough. The offensive plays were a bit neglected, and everything revolved around offense. Though we need to tell that on the opening drive, the referees made one controversial and bad call. They stopped Texans who almost reached the end zone, without any reason, causing Watson to be sacked in the next play, Instead of getting a certain touchdown and a considerable boost of morale in the early phase of the game, Texans were frustrated.

Things went more in their favor during the second quarter when they got a 16-9 lead while heading for the break.

The only notable thing in the third quarter was Sam Darnold’s TD pass to Andre Roberts, for 13 yards and 16-15.

https://twitter.com/MaxWildstein/status/1074082958695223296

The rookie quarterback was very well last night, having 24 completions from 38 attempts for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns, without a single interception. However, his team failed to win. Despite that, he was praised by the opponents, who all stated that the 21-year old quarterback has a tremendous future.

“I told him he’s a good player,” Watt said of Darnold. “He ran around all night, made a lot of plays on the run. He can scramble. He can make throws. He’s a good player. Obviously, he’s young and has a great future in front of him.”

When you get such credits from one of the best defenders in the last decade, you are something there’s no doubt about that.

Meanwhile, his rival on the other side, Watson already reached “great future”. With 22 of 28, and 294 yards thrown and 2 touchdowns including the one in the winning drive, the sophomore from Clemson is fighting his way and pushing Texans towards the top of the league. If it weren’t for the injury last year it might have even been earlier, but it is not late even now.

Texans are now 10-4 and they travel to Philadelphia next weekend, while the Jets (4-10) host Green Bay.