Quarterback Deshaun Watson maybe have thrown two interceptions in back to back games, but he is still the Houston Texans’ ultimate weapon and gives them the best chance to win each week.
One of the ways that Watson is able to own the NFL’s fifth-highest passer rating at 104.1 is with his ability to get outside the pocket, keep his eyes downfield, and make the big play to put points on the board or keep the chains moving.
According to Pro Football Focus, Watson’s 103.7 passer rating outside the pocket is the fourth-highest in the NFL.
So that leaves opposing defenses with the alternative of keeping Watson in the pocket and trying to generate pressure there. When Watson escapes outside, it is usually after the pass rush has failed to bring him down, or he is buying even more time for his receivers to get open. Whatever the case, when Watson is scrambling, he isn’t just looking to run, but to throw, and that contributes to his century-mark passer rating.
Watson and the Texans take on the Oakland Raiders Sunday at 3:25 p.m. CT from NRG Stadium. The Raiders are 3-3 on the season, seek to stay alive in the AFC West, and the Texans are hoping to avoid a two-game losing streak and keep pace with the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.
