Houston's Houdini impresses again as Texans win across the pond
Texans player of the game: Deshaun dazzles
Nov 3, 2019, 11:33 am
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Another week, another incredible performance by Houston's Houdini Deshaun Watson.
Two defenders tackling Deshaun Watson ... and he STILL got the pass off 😮
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/y9sh8RGxo8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 3, 2019
It was one of the many times Watson was in the grasp of a Jacksonville defender, or two, and came out with positive yardage. His poise is at an all-time high and he did this without left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Watson was quite the field general getting the Texans into plays that consistently moved the ball and then impressing with his magic act against the Jags defense. He was nearly perfect in the second half as he had just one incomplete pass and jumped over another human being with ease on a almost touchdown run.
Just falling to the ground and throwing a crisp pass at the same time, nbd pic.twitter.com/nHWBGmUpGX
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) November 3, 2019
One of the most impressive pieces of Watson's game in London is the patience he displays when previously he would be overly-aggressive. One drop back where he was clean for seconds after seconds, and he continued to survey the field until a safe big play popped up. Two seasons ago and even last season Watson would often take the risky shot. Other times he would take the easy gain. He's got the perfect balance of patience and aggression right now.
The highlight reel plays are impressive, sure, but Watson has always made those. The most impressive part of his game is the poise and knowledge he plays with now. He has a deep understanding of defenses and sees things he missed early in his career. The Texans have gotten deep into the playbook this year too executing at an extremely high level.
Watson is absolutely in the MVP discussion.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.