Week 11 vs. New England Patriots
In the wind and cold in Cleveland last week, Deshaun Watson was held to a season-low 163 passing yards with a late TD toss to TE Pharaoh Brown. The Texans couldn’t get going all afternoon in the conditions, totaling fewer than 250 yards of offense in the loss. Even though New England’s defense frustrated Lamar Jackson in the rain last Sunday night and is No. 11 at stopping the pass, expect a better outing from Watson at home on Sunday.
Week 10 at Cleveland Browns
At Jacksonville last week, Deshaun Watson posted good numbers once again, throwing for 281 yards and two scores and rushing for a season-high 50 yards. Even though his streak of four straight 300-yard outings ended, Watson has accounted for multiple TDs in all but one game this season. Facing the No. 24 Browns pass defense on Sunday he’s a top QB play.
Week 9 at Jacksonville Jaguars
In the loss to the Packers two weeks ago, Deshaun Watson threw for over 300 yards and two TDs – his fourth straight game with at least 300 yards through the air, and he’s accounted for multiple scores in all but one of the Texans seven ’20 contests. In the Week 5 win over the Jags, Watson had a big day, throwing for 359 yards and three TDs. Even though Houston has a terrible record Watson remains a top QB.
Week 7 vs. Green Bay Packers
In the overtime loss to the Titans last Sunday, Deshaun Watson had a monstrous day. He finished with 335 yards and four TDs through the air and ran for 26 yards. Even though the Texans are struggling to get a win he has thrown for at least 300 yards in three consecutive outings and tossed seven touchdowns the past two games. Watson will be at home versus an average Green Bay pass defense this week.
Week 6 at Tennessee Titans
In the win over the Jags last week, Deshaun Watson threw for a season-high of 359 yards and three TDs. Surprisingly, his top target and producer was Brandin Cooks who had been mostly silent the past couple outings. Watson has tossed for at least 300 yards in two straight and been over 250 yards through the air in all five ’20 contests. On Sunday at Tennessee he’ll be facing a Titans defense that is in the bottom third against the pass so Watson remains a QB1 start.
Week 5 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Once again Deshaun Watson and the Texans found themselves playing from behind last Sunday versus the Vikings. In the loss Watson threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns – the third time this season he’s accounted for multiple scores. While the yardage was a season high Watson continues to take hits as he’s been sacked an average of four times per contest. He may get some relief this week at home against what has been a poor Jaguars defense.
Week 4 vs. Minnesota Vikings
In the loss to the Steelers last week, the Houston offense was only on the field for just over 23 minutes. Deshaun Watson threw for 264 yards and two scores but was sacked five times and threw one pick. He has passed for over 250 yards in all three contests in ’20 but continues to take shots and has been sacked 13 times already. Will Fuller’s return helped spread the defense, as Randall Cobb led the team with 95 receiving yards out of the slot. Watson will be facing the third worst pass defense on Sunday, so look for him to again have a solid outing.
Week 3 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Versus the Ravens last week, Deshaun Watson threw for 275 yards and a score. After having a good rapport with Will Fuller in the opener, Watson connected with Brandin Cooks eight times for 95 yards in the recent loss. Both of his TD tosses this season have gone to TEs, with Darren Fells hauling in the touchdown last Sunday. Pittsburgh’s defense sacked Denver QBs seven times, but Watson’s scrambling ability should help neutralize the pass rushers. Helped by his rushing ability he's a low-end QB1.
Week 2 vs. Baltimore Ravens
In the loss to the Chiefs in the opener, Deshaun Watson didn’t do much until the game was out of hand. He finished with over 250 yards through the air, 27 rushing yards and two total TDs. Without DeAndre Hopkins, Watson spread the ball around to seven pass catchers, with Will Fuller looking like his new favorite target, as 10 of his 31 targets went in his direction. In Sunday’s home contest versus the Ravens Watson will be facing a defense that limited Baker Mayfield to under 200 yards through the air, but he’s still a QB1 play.
Week 1 – Deshaun Watson at Kansas City Chiefs
What a start to his career Deshaun Watson has had. In his first three seasons he’s averaged 8.1 yards per attempt with a TD rate of 5.9% - one of the most efficient young QBs in NFL history. However, it’ll be interesting to see how he’s able to adjust without his go-to WR DeAndre Hopkins. While Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks both have their strengths, replacing Hopkins will not be easy. In the playoff loss at Kansas City earlier this year Watson threw for nearly 400 yards and two TDs. Expect another shootout in the rematch, which means the Texans QB could again put up big numbers.
