Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Texans’ AFC South victory sets up Deshaun Watson Bowl vs. Browns in playoffs

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Dan Fappiano | Last updated 1/7/24

By virtue of the Jacksonville Jaguars losing to the Tennessee Titans in Week 18, the Houston Texans have won the AFC South. In the first round of the playoffs, the Texans are preparing to face an old friend.

Houston is schedule to take on the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card Round. While he won’t be playing, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is sure to be a hot topic of discussion leading up to the contest, Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team noted.

Watson famously began his career with the Texans as the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent four years with the team, appearing in 54 games. Watson went 28-25 as a starter, throwing for 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He added 1,677 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground, earning three Pro Bowl nominations in Houston.

Watson switches sides

But after the 2020 season, Watson requested a trade from the Texans. He wasn’t happy with the front office and wanted out. However, his infamous off the field controversy made any trade difficult to complete.

Until the Browns came around. Cleveland acquired Watson in a trade that included three first-round picks. He promptly signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the team.

Injuries have held Watson back from fully proving himself in Cleveland. Over his 12 starts in two years, Watson has gone 8-4 and thrown for 2,217 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

While he may be at the front of people’s minds, both the Browns and Texans’ quarterback situations will be much different in the ‘Watson Bowl.’ The Texans have found their new franchise quarterback in CJ Stroud. The Browns have found a savior in Joe Flacco to fill in for Watson after his season-ending injury.

Both teams will be looking to make their mark in the playoffs as they each had much different roads to the postseason. But in the lead up to kick off, Deshaun Watson is sure to take up plenty of headlines.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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