|
|
HOU |
CAR |
Rookie QB Watson shines in Texans' 27-17 loss to Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Deshaun Watson reminded everyone why Panthers coach Ron Rivera - and many others - felt he should have won the Heisman Trophy last season.
Watson shined in his NFL preseason debut, completing 15 of 25 passes for 179 yards and running for a score in the Houston Texans' 27-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday night.
Watson, who led Clemson to the ACC championship on this field last December en route to winning the national championship, received a rousing ovation from Tigers fans dressed in orange when he entered the game in the second quarter.
The cheers grew louder when Watson outran two defenders for a 15-yard touchdown - although Panthers fans tried to cover the celebration with boos.
''It was good just to get my feet wet,'' said Watson, who was pleased with his overall effort.
Houston's first-round draft pick looked comfortable in the pocket, stepping up to avoid pressure and getting rid of the football in a timely manner. He didn't let penalties on his team affect him and didn't turn the ball over in nearly three quarters of play.
''He's a smart player, an instinctive player,'' Texans coach Bill O'Brien said.
''For the first game out there I thought he did some good things. That's a big jump from college to the NFL and I thought he handled it pretty well.''
Tom Savage went three-and-out on his first two possessions against Carolina's first-team defense. Savage had better luck with Carolina's starters out of the game, completing 8 of 8 passes for 67 yards on his final drive capped by a 16-yard TD run by Alfred Blue.
But it was a strong showing for Carolina's defensive starters.
''We put ourselves in good third down situations and we were able to execute and get off the field,'' Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said. ''Overall, the first half, the ones definitely had a good showing.''
Panthers veteran backup Derek Anderson looked sharp starting in place of Cam Newton, who's still resting a sore right shoulder.
Anderson completed 4 of 5 passes for 76 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin to finish with a perfect 158.3 QB rating.
The 6-foot-5 Benjamin, who reported to training camp in good shape after being overweight in the spring, made a leaping grab in the corner of the end zone to give Carolina the early 7-0 lead.
''I am feeling good again,'' Benjamin said. ''I am ready to get Cam (Newton) back out there so we can rebuild that chemistry.''
WATT, KUECHLY RETURN: Two former NFL Defensive Players of the Year returned to action after missing significant time last season with injuries.
J.J. Watt played one series for the Texans in his return from back surgery. Kuechly played six plays after returning from his second career concussion. Neither registered a tackle.
SITTING OUT: Along with Newton, veteran defensive ends Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson, center Ryan Kalil and rookie wide receiver Curtis Samuel did not suit up for Carolina.
ROOKIE WATCH
Texans: Rookie linebacker Dylan Cole appeared to return a fumble for a touchdown to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but the play was overturned.
Panthers: Christian McCaffrey had 33 yards on seven carries in his rookie debut and showed impressive quickness and the ability to make defenders miss.
POSITION BATTLES
Texans: RB Alfred Blue outperformed projected starter Lamar Miller. Blue ran for 33 yards on seven carries including a 16-yard touchdown, while Miller carried two times for no yards.
Panthers: Wide receiver Damiere Byrd, considered a fringe roster player, did nothing to hurt his chances by hauling touchdown passes of 50 and 8 yards from Joe Webb.
WHAT BROWN DOES FOR YOU: The Texans clearly missed left tackle Duane Brown, whose contract situation remains unresolved. Savage was under heavy pressure on the first two series. Chris Clark started at left tackle.
INJURY UPDATE:
Texans: Reported no injuries.
Panthers: Vernon Butler, last year's first-round draft pick, left the game with a left knee injury and did not return.
QUOTABLE:
Texans: ''I'm so happy to be back with my guys,'' Watt said of his return. ''It's so much fun in my D-line room and being back out there with my teammates. That's where I belong.''
Panthers: ''It means a lot,'' Byrd said after the first of his two TD catches. ''It's a dream of everybody's to be able to play for an organization as great as this in the NFL.''
---
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
D. Watson
4 QB 179 PaYds, 24 RuYds, RuTD |
15
FPTS
|
|
D. Byrd
13 WR 98 ReYds, 2 ReTDs, 4 RECs |
21
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. WatsonÂ
4 QB
15 FPTS
|
D. Watson | 15/25 | 179 | 0 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. SavageÂ
3 QB
2 FPTS
|
T. Savage | 9/11 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. WeedenÂ
5 QB
1 FPTS
|
B. Weeden | 4/9 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. ForemanÂ
27 RB
7 FPTS
|
D. Foreman | 9 | 76 | 0 | 41 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BlueÂ
28 RB
9 FPTS
|
A. Blue | 5 | 33 | 1 | 16 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WatsonÂ
4 QB
15 FPTS
|
D. Watson | 3 | 24 | 1 | 15 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HuntÂ
33 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Hunt | 2 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. OgunbowaleÂ
44 RB
0 FPTS
|
D. Ogunbowale | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. WeedenÂ
5 QB
1 FPTS
|
B. Weeden | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. MillerÂ
26 RB
0 FPTS
|
L. Miller | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. AndersonÂ
17 WR
8 FPTS
|
D. Anderson | 8 | 4 | 80 | 0 | 34 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. HuntÂ
33 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Hunt | 4 | 3 | 38 | 0 | 16 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. BaylisÂ
81 TE
0 FPTS
|
E. Baylis | 5 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ThompsonÂ
14 WR
2 FPTS
|
C. Thompson | 4 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. McCarronÂ
83 WR
1 FPTS
|
R. McCarron | 2 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. StrongÂ
11 WR
1 FPTS
|
J. Strong | 1 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. HopkinsÂ
10 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Hopkins | 2 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HardeeÂ
19 WR
1 FPTS
|
J. Hardee | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. GriffinÂ
84 TE
1 FPTS
|
R. Griffin | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. MillerÂ
13 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. Miller | 4 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. AllenÂ
88 TE
0 FPTS
|
R. Allen | 2 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ErvinÂ
34 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Ervin | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. BlueÂ
28 RB
9 FPTS
|
A. Blue | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ForemanÂ
27 RB
7 FPTS
|
D. Foreman | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. StreetÂ
18 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Street | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. OgunbowaleÂ
44 RB
0 FPTS
|
D. Ogunbowale | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. MillerÂ
26 RB
0 FPTS
|
L. Miller | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. WilliamsÂ
82 WR
0 FPTS
|
W. Williams | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
Z. CunninghamÂ
41 LB
|
Z. Cunningham | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. NelsonÂ
21 DB
|
R. Nelson | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DillonÂ
20 SAF
|
K. Dillon | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RiceÂ
22 SAF
|
D. Rice | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. RobersonÂ
38 DB
|
M. Roberson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. LeeÂ
47 LB
|
E. Lee | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. WatkinsÂ
91 DT
|
C. Watkins | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. ScarlettÂ
57 LB
|
B. Scarlett | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ClowneyÂ
90 DE
|
J. Clowney | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DrummondÂ
23 FS
|
K. Drummond | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WashingtonÂ
49 OLB
|
T. Washington | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. JohnsonÂ
30 CB
|
K. Johnson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. JacksonÂ
25 CB
|
K. Jackson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. PleasantÂ
35 DB
|
E. Pleasant | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. JonesÂ
37 DB
|
B. Jones | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. PresidentÂ
53 LB
|
G. President | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JosephÂ
24 CB
|
J. Joseph | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ColeÂ
51 LB
|
D. Cole | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WilliamsÂ
50 LB
|
A. Williams | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. GodinÂ
69 DE
|
M. Godin | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. PetersÂ
52 LB
|
B. Peters | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. AnkouÂ
96 DT
|
E. Ankou | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. DunnÂ
92 DT
|
B. Dunn | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. SmithÂ
36 CB
|
M. Smith | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MooreÂ
43 SS
|
C. Moore | 0-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ReaderÂ
98 DT
|
D. Reader | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CushingÂ
56 ILB
|
B. Cushing | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HalÂ
29 FS
|
A. Hal | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
K. FairbairnÂ
7 K
0 FPTS
|
K. Fairbairn | 1/2 | 25 | 1/1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
N. NovakÂ
8 K
0 FPTS
|
N. Novak | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
S. LechlerÂ
9 P
|
S. Lechler | 6 | 47.0 | 0 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. HuntÂ
33 RB
3 FPTS
|
A. Hunt | 2 | 18.0 | 18 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. McCarronÂ
83 WR
1 FPTS
|
R. McCarron | 1 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
R. McCarron 83 WR
1 FPTS
|
R. McCarron | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. WebbÂ
14 QB
17 FPTS
|
J. Webb | 7/14 | 128 | 2 | 1 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AndersonÂ
3 QB
9 FPTS
|
D. Anderson | 4/5 | 76 | 1 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. GilbertÂ
4 QB
1 FPTS
|
G. Gilbert | 4/8 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. SimmonsÂ
38 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Simmons | 9 | 38 | 0 | 19 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
3 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 7 | 33 | 0 | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Artis-PayneÂ
34 RB
2 FPTS
|
C. Artis-Payne | 6 | 22 | 0 | 20 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WebbÂ
14 QB
17 FPTS
|
J. Webb | 3 | 21 | 0 | 11 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClayÂ
83 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerÂ
43 RB
1 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 2 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartÂ
28 RB
0 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. ByrdÂ
18 WR
21 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 6 | 4 | 98 | 2 | 50 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. BenjaminÂ
13 WR
10 FPTS
|
K. Benjamin | 2 | 2 | 40 | 1 | 23 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. DukeÂ
16 WR
3 FPTS
|
A. Duke | 5 | 2 | 34 | 0 | 21 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. OlsenÂ
88 TE
3 FPTS
|
G. Olsen | 2 | 1 | 32 | 0 | 32 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. GarrettÂ
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Garrett | 2 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 23 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. ClayÂ
83 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ManhertzÂ
82 TE
0 FPTS
|
C. Manhertz | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. FunchessÂ
17 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Funchess | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. FrazierÂ
81 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Frazier | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. SimmonsÂ
38 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Simmons | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyÂ
22 RB
3 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. SimonsonÂ
80 TE
0 FPTS
|
S. Simonson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Artis-PayneÂ
34 RB
2 FPTS
|
C. Artis-Payne | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GrahamÂ
87 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Graham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. SouthwardÂ
37 DB
|
D. Southward | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. NorrisÂ
52 ILB
|
J. Norris | 4-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Green-ThompsonÂ
54 OLB
|
S. Green-Thompson | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CashÂ
57 LB
|
J. Cash | 3-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. ObadaÂ
71 DE
|
E. Obada | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JonesÂ
42 FS
|
C. Jones | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MayoÂ
55 LB
|
D. Mayo | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WilliamsÂ
21 DB
|
T. Williams | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. BiggerÂ
56 LB
|
Z. Bigger | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MunnerlynÂ
41 DB
|
C. Munnerlyn | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. SanchezÂ
31 CB
|
Z. Sanchez | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. JacobsÂ
53 LB
|
B. Jacobs | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. HortonÂ
96 DE
|
W. Horton | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ShortÂ
99 DT
|
K. Short | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ColemanÂ
20 SS
|
K. Coleman | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HallÂ
74 DE
|
D. Hall | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. CoxÂ
64 DE
|
B. Cox | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. LukeÂ
32 CB
|
C. Luke | 1-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisÂ
58 OLB
|
T. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. CrumeÂ
72 DT
|
E. Crume | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. McCrayÂ
23 DB
|
L. McCray | 1-3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ParmsÂ
25 DB
|
D. Parms | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. MooreÂ
77 DE
|
Z. Moore | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. WebsterÂ
94 DE
|
L. Webster | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. RichardsÂ
39 DB
|
J. Richards | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. KuechlyÂ
59 MLB
|
L. Kuechly | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BradberryÂ
24 CB
|
J. Bradberry | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. ButlerÂ
92 DT
|
V. Butler | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. PalardyÂ
5 P
|
M. Palardy | 2 | 46.5 | 2 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. LeeÂ
8 P
|
A. Lee | 2 | 36.0 | 1 | 40 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. SimmonsÂ
38 RB
3 FPTS
|
J. Simmons | 1 | 24.0 | 24 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ByrdÂ
18 WR
21 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 1 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Byrd 18 WR
21 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 2 | 9.5 | 13 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Duke 16 WR
3 FPTS
|
A. Duke | 2 | 3.5 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Clay 83 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 1 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 |