The Houston Texans (1-1) defeated the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2) 13-9 in a defensive show down at Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday night, kicking off Week 2 of the 2017 NFL season.
Deshaun Watson made his first NFL start on his 22nd birthday and just one week after replacing Tom Savage at half-time during the Texans Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Watson complimented a strong performance by the Texans defence with a highlight worthy 49 yard score as he gracefully eluded a pack of clawing Bengal defenders, leaving them face down on their own logo as he scrambled up the middle to avoid a pocket collapsing from the outside. Watson then bolted off to the right and up the sideline, using a few blocks to break a 3-3 tie with 50 seconds to go in the first half on a critical and devastating 3rd and 15 play for the Bengals.
"I was just trying to make a play, I found a hole and broke away," he said.
Watson completed 15-24 passes for 125 yards while also rushing for a total of 67 yards - most of them on the only touchdown of the game.
Watson and the Texans did not turn the ball over to the delight of Texans head coach Bill O’Brien. O’Brien received some criticism for subbing Watson in for Savage after just one half in last weeks opener but Watson’s performance seems to have bought O’Brien at least one more week with his critics.
Cincinnati answered with a 6-play drive which ended with a 29-yard FG which cut the deficit to four going into the half.
Still, the Bengals didn’t have enough on this night as the offence failed to score a TD for the 2nd straight week while managing just 3 field goals by Randy Bullock.
Andy Dalton completed 20 of 35 attempts for 224 yards, 0 TD, 0 turnovers, 3 sacks.
Both defences played tough in the first half as the first 4 drives ended with punts.
Watson’s performance wasn’t perfect as the Bengals naturally has some success using disguised formations, disrupting the timing of the Texans offence and causing Watson to rush some throws in an otherwise solid NFL starting debut.
Watson enjoyed a stellar college career at Clemson which included an athlete of the year honour and a 2nd place finish in the 2016 Heisman trophy race. Houston selected Watson as the 12th pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
There were 15 punts in tonight’s defensive battle as both offensive lines struggled for most parts of the game.
Bengals tackle Geno Atkins had 5 tackles and 2 sacks, penetrating the line of scrimmage with dominance like good under appreciated lineman do.
Andy Dalton is now 1-6 vs the Texans in his career including 2 playoff losses.
JACKED UP!
Bengals centre Russell Bodine caught the ball on a desperate last-play scrabble reverse toss, he was pile driven to the ground by J.J. Watt to end the game which erupted excitement from announcers Mike Tirico and former NFL WR Cris Collinsworth. Tirico shouted the word “eliminated” as Watt slammed Bodine into the turf with authority. ESPN likes to do a segment called JACKED UP which highlights big-time hits and emotional moments caught on film. This will surely make the cut.
Watt has been given much praise through the media for his efforts aiding the relief of Houston communities suffering from recent “natural” disasters. Watt and the PEOPLE have reportedly raised over $31 million to aid suffering communities.
BREAKING THE WRONG RECORDS
The Bengals are the first team since the 1939 Eagles to open a season with two home games and fail to get in the end zone, according to information from the Elias Sports Bureau shared by ESPN.
FOR FANTASY FANATICS
Joe Mixon lead the Bengals tonight with 9 carries and 36 yards rushing, he also caught the only throw his way for 5 yards. With Giovani Bernard is coming off a knee surgery, expect Mixon to get more opportunities for the Bengals. HIs talent is hard for the club to ignore as long as he isn't punching women out.
Mixon, a college stand-out at Oklahoma, was drafted by Cincinnati using the 48th overall pick in the 2nd round.
Mixon was scouted as a potential first round prospect but in 2016, surveillance video surfaced showing a 2014 incident during which Mixon punched a woman in the face, sparking outrage in the media.
A.J. Green and Deandre Hopkins enjoyed quiet games and while both are tremendously talented, both may be good trade candidates for owners in fantasy leagues. Both teams seem to be having early struggles with their offensive lines and so selling may be an option worth exploring
This is my first Sports recap on Steemit. Please comment your thoughts and suggestions below and I'll do my best to reply and take your comments into consideration. Thanks for reading.
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