FIRST TAKE

3 reasons Deshaun Watson is the QB that will challenge Mahomes as the NFL's best

Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman, and Marcus Spears debate which QB is the most likely to challenge Patrick Mahomes as the best QB in the NFL.

Max Kellerman believes that Lamar Jackson is the QB with the best chance to challenge Mahomes, but Stephen A. Smith and Marcus Spears are taking Deshaun Watson.

Stephen A. believes Watson is a better runner than Mahomes, he's a better passer than Jackson, and Watson has proven to be a winner.

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How Houston Texans look to extend streak against flailing Falcons

After dominating the Steelers at NRG this past Sunday, the Houston Texans turn their attention to Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons.

The Texans and Falcons both have the same record sitting at 2-2, but the Texans version of 2-2 feels much different. Houston is improving each week with an impressive rookie QB, while Atlanta has dropped their last two games to the Lions and Jaguars.

What's more concerning is the Falcons offense. They have some talented skill players with Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. But the quarterback play from Desmond Ridder has been underwhelming, and fans are starting to question if the team needs to begin searching for another QB.

In the meantime, if Ridder has serious struggles again on Sunday, you have to wonder if the team will make the switch to backup QB Taylor Heinicke. Ridder and the Falcons have only scored 13 combined points over the last two games.

For the Texans, Steven Nelson has been terrific at corner, so we expect him to continue his productive level of play against Atlanta's top receiver, London.

The Texans have had their issues defending the run game over the last several seasons, so keeping Robinson in check should be the team's top priority.

And what else is there to say about CJ Stroud? He has been impressive to say the least, and with OC Bobby Slowik allowing Stroud to continue pushing the ball downfield even with a lead, shows you how much he trusts his rookie QB.

Currently the Falcons are favored by two points at home this Sunday, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the Texans win as an underdog once again this week.

Houston could get a big boost to the offensive line with Tytus Howard and Juice Scruggs set to come off IR.

Be sure to watch the video above for the full early preview of Texans-Falcons.

If you enjoy the videos, be sure to watch Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) every Monday on the SportsMap Texans YouTube channel.

And listen to ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM for Houston's best sports talk.

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