Deshaun Watson throws five touchdowns in 42-34 loss to Kansas City
The most significant story of the night in Houston will be the Texans star defensive lineman J.J. Watt leaving NRG Stadium in an ambulance after suffering a tibial plateau fracture in the first quarter. According to NFL.com, Watt is "out for the season." Watt, the Texans' defensive star, who recently raised over $37-million for hurricane relief in the Houston area will be missed on the field.
However, on the offensive side of the ball, Deshaun Watson gives the Texans franchise hope for the future. The former Clemson star was up to his old tricks again. On the national stage Sunday night, Watson couldn't deliver a victory, but he has certainly put himself in the mix for the NFL's Rookie of the Year.
Watson was 16-31 for 261 yards and five touchdowns, three of which would land in the hands of fellow former Clemson Tiger Deandre Hopkins. Watson didn't throw an interception and rushed for 31 yards.
Watson became just the second rookie ever to pass for eight touchdowns in consecutive weeks in the history of the NFL.
He also set the Texans' single-season rookie record for most touchdowns thrown in a season (10) earlier in the game. Watson added to that record and currently has 12 touchdowns passing this year, second only to Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers (13).
As good as Watson played, he could not overcome the last remaining undefeated team in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Trailing 16-0 with under three minutes left in the first half, Waston led Houston on an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive finding former Clemson Tiger Deandre Hopkins on a 6-yard touchdown pass.
Deshaun. DeAndre. Six.#WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/sd3JnKvu9H
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 9, 2017
In the third quarter, trailing 23-7, Watson hit former Notre Dame wide receiver Will Fuller with 3:20 left to pull the Texans to within 10 points of the Chiefs at 23-13.
.@deshaunwatson ➡️ @Will_Fuller7 ➡️ TD. #KCvsHOU #SNFpic.twitter.com/Ij0uM6gpFC
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 9, 2017
Later in the game, Watson hooked up with Will Fuller again, this time on a 48-yard strike. Watch Watson move through the pocket to avoid being sacked, then launching the ball downfield to Fuller. Fuller's touchdown grab trimmed the Chiefs lead to just six, 26-20 with 12:00 left in the game.
Deshaun Watson is the truth..... and he really likes Will Fuller. 48 yard TD makes this a 26-20 game.pic.twitter.com/B0EZ9glexl
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 9, 2017
Down 39-20 late Watson would again connect with his fellow Clemson Tiger, Deandre Hopkins on a 34-yard touchdown. Hopkins, who played some basketball at Clemson climbed the ladder to make a great reception for a score. The touchdown pass was Watson's fourth of the game, leaving the score 39-26 Kansas City.
Kansas City would add a field goal, but Watson and Hopkins weren't done scoring. Watson led a late 75-yard drive hooking up with Hopkins for his fifth touchdown pass of the game with no time remaining.